Lord Chancellor reappoints commercial mediator to the Civil Justice Council

The Lord Chancellor has approved the reappointment of a commercial mediator as a member of the Civil Justice Council (CJC). The announcement was published by the Ministry of Justice and the Civil Justice Council on 22 October 2026.

The member holds a place on the council as a member from outside the judiciary. The reappointment runs for 1 year from 1 January 2027.

Alongside the reappointment, the announcement explains what the council does and how appointments of this kind are made and overseen.

What the Civil Justice Council does

The CJC is a statutory advisory body, set up under the Civil Procedure Act 1997. Its membership draws together people from the judiciary and the civil service. Members of the legal professions sit on it too, alongside people who represent the varied perspectives found across the civil justice system and bring their expertise and experience.

The council has a statutory function to review the civil justice system. It also gives advice on how civil justice develops. That advice goes to the government, the judiciary, the Rule Committee and others.

The announcement says the council's advice concerns in particular how civil justice can be made "more accessible, fair and efficient". The council has the power to recommend changes and to propose research.

For litigators and others working in civil disputes, the source confirms that the council's advisory work reaches the Rule Committee as well as government and the judiciary.

How appointments are made and overseen

The Ministry of Justice sets out the framework for appointments of members from outside the judiciary:

• These members of the CJC are appointed by the Lord Chancellor.
• Their appointments are regulated by the Commissioner for Public Appointments.
• The Ministry of Justice states that this reappointment complies with the Governance Code on Public Appointments.

Background of the reappointed member

The reappointed member works full time as a commercial mediator. He was previously a partner at a law firm, where he specialised in disputes about technology, engineering, construction and energy infrastructure.

He became a partner in 2002. He served on the firm's board from 2011 to 2014.

Since 2016 he has mediated complex commercial disputes of high value. He holds panel mediator and lead trainer roles with a mediation organisation, and he has received a civil and commercial mediator of the year award.

His continued membership means the council keeps a member with experience of mediating commercial disputes among those who come from outside the judiciary, according to the background given in the announcement.

Where to read more

The full announcement, including the complete background of the reappointed member, is published on the Ministry of Justice's own website on GOV.UK.