Lynne Berry will begin an 18-month term as JAC Chair on 1 September 2026
Lynne Berry CBE has been appointed Chair of the Judicial Appointments Commission (JAC) following approval by His Majesty The King, the Ministry of Justice has announced. The appointment will begin on 1 September 2026 and will run for 18 months.
The JAC is the statutory independent body responsible for selecting candidates for judicial appointments to the courts and tribunals of England and Wales, as well as for certain UK-wide tribunals. The Chair is appointed by His Majesty The King on the recommendation of the Lord Chancellor.
Ms Berry’s appointment follows the Justice Select Committee’s report into her suitability for the role, which was published on 12 June 2026 after a public pre-appointment hearing held on 10 June 2026. The committee concluded that she met the criteria for the position and endorsed her appointment.
The appointment brings new leadership to the independent body responsible for selecting candidates for judicial appointments in England and Wales. The Judicial Appointments Commission oversees merit-based selection for judicial office across the courts and tribunals within its remit.
Lynne Berry currently serves as Chair of Governors and Pro-Chancellor at the University of Westminster, Chair of the Human Tissue Authority, and Visiting Professor in Leadership at Bayes Business School, City St George’s, University of London.
Her previous leadership roles include serving as Chair or Senior Independent Director of numerous public sector and not-for-profit organisations. She has also held Chief Executive positions at the Charity Commission, the Equal Opportunities Commission and the General Social Care Council, alongside leadership roles at charities including the Royal Voluntary Service and the Family Welfare Association.
The appointment concludes the recruitment process that began in May, when the Deputy Prime Minister, Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice identified Ms Berry as the Government’s preferred candidate, subject to parliamentary scrutiny.