HM Courts and Tribunals Service Chief Executive in United Kingdom

The HM Courts and Tribunals Service Chief Executive is responsible for the day-to-day operations and administration of the HM Courts and Tribunals Service (the agency) and for the leadership of its staff. He works under the general direction of the Board.

Designation and Appointment

The HM Courts and Tribunals Service Chief Executive is designated as Agency Accounting Officer by the Principal Accounting Officer and is accountable to that person and to Parliament for those responsibilities.

The appointment of the HM Courts and Tribunals Service Chief Executive is conducted in line with Cabinet Office guidelines and with a selection panel that includes a senior judge nominated by the Lord Chief Justice. Candidates for appointment to the position of HM Courts and Tribunals Service Chief Executive may meet the Lord Chief Justice or his nominee.

HM Courts and Tribunals Service Chief Executive Responsabilities

The HM Courts and Tribunals Service Chief Executive, supported and advised by Board members as appropriate, will consult the Lord Chancellor and Lord Chief Justice on the handling of operational matters which could give rise to substantial public, parliamentary, judicial or
ministerial concern.

The HM Courts and Tribunals Service Chief Executive’s responsibilities include:

efficient and cost-effective management of HM Courts and Tribunals Service so
as to ensure it meets its objectives and targets;
effective leadership to the staff of agency;
developing the HM Courts and Tribunals Service’s strategy and business plans;
the performance of the staff of the agency;
reporting on performance to the HM Courts and Tribunals Service Board and, as necessary, to the Lord Chancellor and the Lord Chief Justice;
ensuring that the HM Courts and Tribunals Service Board and, as necessary, the Lord Chancellor and the Lord Chief Justice are provided with high-quality, impartial, transparent and honest advice on the operation and administration of the agency and any proposals
for changes to its work or role;
providing advice to the Lord Chancellor on issues other than the operation and
administration of the agency in line with his duty as a civil servant, as and
when requested.

Accountability of the HM Courts and Tribunals Service Chief Executive

The HM Courts and Tribunals Service Chief Executive is accountable to the Permanent Secretary, or his delegate, for his personal performance. The Permanent Secretary will consult the Senior Presiding Judge on such matters.

Accountability to Parliament: Parliamentary committees

The HM Courts and Tribunals Service Chief Executive and the Permanent Secretary or his delegate may be asked to appear before the Committee for Public Accounts concerning their respective Accounting Officer responsibilities.

Invitations received from other parliamentary committees relating to HM Courts and
Tribunals Service will be considered by the HM Courts and Tribunals Service Chief Executive who will consult and advise the Lord Chancellor and the Lord Chief Justice as appropriate.

Accountability to Parliament: Parliamentary Commissioner for Administration

The administrative work of HM Courts & Tribunals Service is subject to the jurisdiction of the Parliamentary Commissioner for Administration (PCA). Under section 110(2) Courts and Legal Services Act 1990, work done by HM Courts and Tribunals Service at the direction or on the authority (whether express or implied) of a judge or a person acting in a judicial capacity is not, however, subject to the Parliamentary Commissioner for Administration’s jurisdiction.

The Permanent Secretary is the Principal Officer of the Ministry of Justice for the purposes of the Parliamentary Commissioner for Administration referrals, but he delegates responsibility for reporting and replying on matters concerning HM Courts and Tribunals Service to the Chief Executive.

The HM Courts and Tribunals Service Chief Executive reports the Parliamentary Commissioner for Administration referrals that raise significant issues to the Board and keeps it informed about the action being taken.

Accountability to Parliament: Parliamentary questions and parliamentary correspondence

The HM Courts and Tribunals Service Chief Executive and other agency staff may receive correspondence direct from an Member of Parliament or peer on matters concerning the operation of, or services provided by, HM Courts and Tribunals Service. The Chief Executive, or any staff to whom this function has been delegated, will respond to such correspondence directly, in a manner consistent with his responsibilities to the judiciary and ministers and will consult with the Lord Chief Justice where appropriate.

HM Courts and Tribunals Service Chief Executive