A Quick Guide to the JTAAAC

A fairly brief post today, to consider the role of the Justices' Training, Approvals, Authorisations and Appraisals Committee (JTAAAC).

The JTAAAC, just as the name suggests, is responsible for ensuring that every Justice of the Peace is correctly qualified, experienced and competent to perform their role in the Adult and, where applicable, the Youth Courts.

The Family Training, Approvals, Authorisations and Appraisals Committee (FTAAAC) has a broadly similar function, albeit in relation to Justices sitting in the Family Court.

A few years ago every Bench had its own version of the JTAAAC (or Bench Training and Development Committee, as it was called at the time), but it is now quite common for a JTAAAC to oversee two (or more) Benches. The North & East Devon, South & West Devon, Cornwall and Dorset Benches, for example, are covered by a single JTAAAC.

The composition and role of the JTAAAC is governed by The Justice of the Peace Rules 2016.

The JTAAAC is responsible for identifying the training needs of every Justice and preparing a training plan to ensure those needs are met. The committee is comprised of between 6 and 24 Justices depending on the number and sizes of the Benches it covers. There are often several sub-committees to deal with specific aspects of the JTAAAC's work.

Each Bench is also represented by a professionally qualified HMCTS legal advisor. The Rules say that this should be the Justices' Clerk (or Head of Legal Operations as the current incarnation of the role is known) or one of their assistants (e.g. a Senior Legal Manager, Legal Team Manager or Legal Advisor).

The Rules permit three JTAAAC members to make decisions pertaining to an individual Justice. Other decisions require the agreement of at least three or one-third of the full committee, whichever is greater.

A separate panel, known as the JTAAAC Selection Panel, considers the applications of Justices applying to join the JTAAAC and appoints the most suitable candidates. 

It is the JTAAAC's responsibility to ensure that the training needs of every Justice are met. It does this by preparing a training plan and delivering training sessions as directed by the Lord Chief Justice, via the Judicial College.

The JTAAAC considers applications from those Justices wishing to sit in the Youth Court and grants authorisations for those it deems suitable. It is also responsible for recommending the revocation of authorisation for any Youth Justice who fails to maintain the required level of competence.

The JTAAAC is responsible for the selection, training and approval of those Justices wishing to preside in the Adult or Youth Courts. It is also responsible for revoking the approval of any presiding Justice who fails to maintain the required level of competence.

The JTAAAC maintains a list of Justices with the required level of competence to sit on appeals at the Crown Court. It trains and authorises Justices to undertake the mentoring and appraisal of their colleagues on the Bench.

Finally, the JTAAAC is responsible for ensuring that every Justice undergoes appraisal for every role they have on the Bench. Should a Justice fail to maintain the required level of competence, then it is the responsibilty of the JTAAAC to report them to the Advisory Committee for the consideration of disciplinary action.