Appendix 2: Judicial Appointments Board
for Scotland— Criteria for Judicial Appointment[7]
The Board will rank and prefer those candidates who
are considered suitable for appointment and make its recommendation
to the First Minister.
Successful candidates will have:
- attained a high level of legal knowledge and
experience;
- the ability to apply knowledge and experience
to make sustainable decisions;
- intellectual and analytical ability;
- sound judgement and the ability to exercise discretion
effectively;
- the ability to marshal facts and competing arguments
and reason logically to a correct and balanced conclusion;
- the ability to reach firm conclusions, to think,
decide and act independently of others and rely on their own judgement;
- good communication and listening skills;
- the ability to communicate with all types of
court user, including lay people, giving instructions, explaining
complex issues and giving decisions clearly, concisely and promptly,
either orally or in writing;
- the ability to command the respect of court users
and to maintain fair-minded discipline in court and in chambers
without appearing pompous, arrogant or overbearing;
- the ability to manage cases effectively and promote
the expeditious despatch of business;
- Successful candidates will also possess the following
personal qualities:
- integrity and independence—they will have
a history of honesty, discretion and straightforward dealing with
professional colleagues, clients and the courts;
- independence of mind and moral courage—prepared
to take and maintain unpopular decisions when necessary;
- fairness and impartiality—they will be
open minded and objective, with the ability to recognise and discount
any personal prejudices. They will seek to ensure that all who
come before them have the opportunity to put their case clearly
and have it considered as fully and as objectively as possible;
- understanding of people and society—respect
those of different backgrounds and be sensitive to the influence
of different ethnic and cultural backgrounds on the attitudes
and behaviour of people whom they encounter in the course of their
work;
- maturity and sound temperament—they will
display a maturity of attitude and approach and be firm and decisive
while remaining patient, tolerant, good-humoured and even-tempered;
- courtesy—they will be courteous and considerate
to all court users and court staff;
- commitment conscientiousness and diligence—committed
to public service and to the proper and efficient administration
of justice, which they will pursue conscientiously, with energy
and diligence and a due sense of responsibility.
In assessing these qualities the Board will have
regard to the information provided by candidates in their applications,
the reports from referees and the performance of individuals at
interview.
7 Taken from the website of the Judicial Appointments
Board for Scotland, www.judicialappointmentsscotland.gov.uk.
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