Source · Select Committees · Justice Committee
Recommendation 23
23
Acknowledged
Ministry of Justice commissioner recruitment and fee negotiation processes are concerningly protracted.
Conclusion
The Ministry of Justice’s approach to commissioner recruitment, including the recruitment of an interim chair, is also concerning. We are shocked that negotiations over the fee paid to commissioners took as long as three years to resolve and that a recruitment exercise that appears to have begun in April 2024 will take until the end of 2025 to conclude. (Conclusion, Paragraph 78)
Government Response Summary
The government acknowledges concerns about the lengthy commissioner recruitment and fee negotiation processes, explaining the need for multi-stage consultation, and expresses hope to finalise appointments quickly.
Government Response
Acknowledged
HM Government
Acknowledged
The report concludes that the amount of time taken to recruit Commissioners, and agree fee levels, is concerning. As noted in paragraph 18, the public appointment process to recruit Commissioners requires consultation at several stages. Similarly, setting fee levels is something that must be done in full collaboration with the CCRC and its Chair, and based on a clear and evidenced value for money case. However, we appreciate the impact carrying Commissioner vacancies has on the efficiency of the CCRC and we hope to finalise the appointments of the next cohort of Commissioners as quickly as possible.