New appointments bring housing, insurance and consumer expertise to CJC
The Ministry of Justice has announced the appointment of seven new members to the Civil Justice Council (CJC), following approval by the Lord Chancellor.
The appointments, confirmed on 30 April 2026, will run for three years from 23 January 2026. The new members are Andrew Brookes, Naomi Creutzfeldt, Frances Harrison, Owain Rhys James, Jane Portas OBE, Tim Sawyer and Nigel Teasdale.
Each appointment represents a different professional area within the civil justice system. Andrew Brookes joins as the housing member, Naomi Creutzfeldt as academic member, Frances Harrison as consumer member, and Owain Rhys James as Welsh representative member.
Jane Portas has been appointed as the insurance member, Tim Sawyer as the small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) member, and Nigel Teasdale as the solicitor member. The Civil Justice Council was established under the Civil Procedure Act 1997 and acts as an advisory body reviewing the operation of the civil justice system in England and Wales.
Its role includes advising the judiciary, government and procedural rule-makers on matters relating to accessibility, fairness, efficiency and reform within civil justice. The appointments are made by the Secretary of State for Justice and regulated by the Commissioner for Public Appointments under the Governance Code on Public Appointments.
Among the appointees, Andrew Brookes is a partner at Anthony Gold Solicitors LLP and has more than 30 years’ experience in housing law. He has also served as a Deputy District Judge. Naomi Creutzfeldt is Professor of Law and Society at the University of Kent, specialising in civil justice systems, dispute resolution and consumer protection.
Owain Rhys James practises from Civitas Chambers in Cardiff and sits as a Deputy District Judge while practising in both Welsh and English. Jane Portas previously held senior roles at KPMG and PwC, alongside work in insurance regulation and financial services oversight.
The appointments bring together expertise from legal practice, academia, financial services, consumer policy and dispute resolution as the council continues its work examining reforms across the civil justice system.