Lord Justice Dove appointed Senior Judicial Commissioner and JAC Vice Chair
His Majesty The King has approved the appointment of The Right Honourable Lord Justice Dove as a Senior Judicial Commissioner of the Judicial Appointments Commission (JAC), marking a significant development in the oversight of judicial selection in England and Wales.
The appointment, made on the advice of the Lord Chancellor, was confirmed on 19 March 2026. Lord Justice Dove will serve a three-year term, which commenced on 1 March 2026. As part of this role, he will also act as Vice Chairman of the Commission in accordance with the Constitutional Reform Act 2005.
The Judicial Appointments Commission is an independent body responsible for selecting candidates for judicial office across courts and tribunals in England and Wales, as well as for certain tribunals with UK-wide jurisdiction. Commissioners are formally appointed by the King following a recommendation from the Lord Chancellor, under Schedule 12(1) of the 2005 Act. Lord Justice Dove’s appointment was made in line with Regulation 10 of the Judicial Appointments Commission Regulations 2013.
By virtue of his appointment and seniority among judicial commissioners, Lord Justice Dove assumes the position of Vice Chair of the Commission. The role carries responsibility for supporting the leadership of the JAC in maintaining the integrity and independence of the judicial appointments process.
Lord Justice Dove brings extensive judicial and professional experience to the position. He was called to the Bar at Inner Temple in 1986 and was appointed King’s Counsel in 2003. His judicial career began with his appointment to the High Court in 2014, where he served in the Queen’s Bench Division, now known as the King’s Bench Division.
In 2015, he was appointed as a member of the Special Immigration Appeals Commission. Between 2018 and 2021, he served as a Presiding Judge on the Northern Circuit, overseeing judicial business and leadership across the region.
His subsequent appointments include becoming President of the Upper Tribunal (Immigration and Asylum Chamber) in October 2022. In February 2025, he was appointed Deputy Senior President of Tribunals, further expanding his leadership responsibilities within the tribunal system.
In November 2025, he was elevated to the Court of Appeal as a Lord Justice of Appeal, one of the most senior judicial roles in England and Wales.
This latest appointment places Lord Justice Dove at the centre of the judicial selection framework, where he will contribute to ensuring that appointments to the judiciary are made on merit and in line with statutory requirements.