Appointment of three new JAC Commissioners

The Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice today announced the appointment by Her Majesty the Queen of Her Honour Judge Taylor, Martin Forde QC, and Alexandra Marks as Commissioners of the Judicial Appointments Commission (JAC).

Date: 05 January 2012

These appointments, as the Circuit Judge, Barrister and Solicitor members of the Commission, fill current vacancies and are for three years from 5 January 2012.

Her Honour Judge Taylor
Her Honour Judge Taylor has a varied background in both civil and criminal law. Having been a civil practitioner, she began her life as a Circuit Judge at Basildon Crown Court, presiding over criminal cases before moving to Inner London Crown Court, Blackfriars Crown Court and for the last four years, Southwark Crown Court. She also sits at the Mayor's and City of London County Court and covers a range of civil and criminal cases.

Martin Forde QC
Martin Forde QC took Silk in 2006 and became a Recorder in 2009. His early career on the Midland Circuit included crime, personal injuries, matrimonial and a variety of civil and criminal work, though latterly he has focused on medical negligence and regulatory work. He is the South Eastern Circuit Diversity Mentor and Chair of the South Eastern Circuit Minorities Committee. He is also the Chair of the Bar Council's Equality and Diversity Sub Group: Access to Appointments and Progression.

Alexandra Marks
Alexandra Marks has had a career as a partner at Linklaters, practising in commercial property. She became a Recorder in 2002, is a Deputy High Court Judge, an Adjudicator for the Solicitors Regulation Authority, and Chair of the Architects Registration Board's Professional Conduct Committee. She is also a Past President of the City of London Law Society and a Board member of JUSTICE.

These appointments were made in accordance with the Code of Practice of the Commissioner for Public Appointments. More information about the Office of the Commissioner for Public Appointments is available at:  www.publicappointmentscommissioner.org.

The full announcement is on the Ministry of Justice website