Description The Scottish Sentencing Council is an independent advisory body which carries out a range of work concerning sentencing in Scotland. Further information about the role and work of the Council can be found on the Council’s website: www.scottishsentencingcouncil.org.uk. The Council, including the chair, consists of 12 members. The Lord Justice Clerk is the Chair of the Council by virtue of her office. The remaining members are composed of five judicial and three legal members, appointed by the Lord Justice General, and three lay members - one constable, one person with knowledge of victims' issues and one other person who is not qualified as a judicial or legal member (“the ‘open’ position”), appointed by the Scottish Ministers. In November 2024, the Council published its business plan for the period 2024-27, which outlines the Council’s work programme over the coming three years and builds on progress since the establishment of the Council in 2015. Current priorities include the development of sentencing guidelines in relation to sexual offences (with an initial focus on indecent images, rape, and sexual assault), domestic abuse, and sentence discounting. The Council has published finalised guidelines on the principles and purposes of sentencing; the sentencing process; the sentencing of young people; and causing death by driving. Scottish Ministers are seeking enthusiastic and committed applicants who would like to be considered for appointment as the open member on the Council. Applications are welcomed and encouraged from the widest possible range of eligible persons and particularly from protected groups covered by the Equality Act 2010. What membership will involve The Council has statutory objectives to: promote consistency in sentencing practice, assist the development of policy in relation to sentencing, and promote greater awareness and understanding of sentencing policy and practice. The Council’s functions include: preparing sentencing guidelines for the Scottish courts, publishing guideline judgments issued by the Scottish courts, and publishing information about sentences imposed by the courts. It also has powers to publish information about, and conduct research into, sentencing and to provide advice and guidance of a general nature on sentencing matters. Although the level of time commitment will ultimately depend on the programme of work being undertaken and any committees the member sits on, members should expect a commitment of approximately 12 days each year for Council business. This would include four Council meetings, additional workshops and committee meetings, time for training and preparation, and occasional stakeholder engagement and promotional events. Council meetings will usually be held in Parliament House, Edinburgh, but on occasion may be scheduled to take place elsewhere in Scotland. The work of the Council attracts a significant degree of public interest. More Information For more information on this post please click here. Responsibilities Amongst other matters, members will: contribute to the development of sentencing guidelines for the approval of the High Court of Justiciary; advise on and contribute to the development of sentencing policy; advise on and contribute to the promotion of awareness and understanding of sentencing policy and practice; contribute to identifying areas for research or analysis, and consider the outputs of any such research; engage directly with stakeholders and co-operate with others in the justice system; and contribute to the development of the Council’s business plan and annual reports. The successful applicant will be appointed for a term of 5 years. The position is not remunerated. Expenses are paid in accordance with paragraph 6A of Schedule 1 to the Criminal Justice and Licensing (Scotland) Act 2010, and the Council’s Expenses Scheme. Qualifications How to apply The successful candidate will require to meet the following criteria through relevant skills and experience: Knowledge and understanding of the issues faced by victims of crime. Knowledge and understanding of sentencing and the wider criminal justice system. Knowledge and understanding of the impacts of sentencing. Certain specified personal qualities, as set out in the candidate information form (link here ). To apply candidates are asked to complete a supporting statement alongside their CV to demonstrate they have the requisite skills and experience to meet the listed criteria (maximum 500 words/one A4 page). While it is not expected that individual applicants will be able to meet every one of the criteria listed, it is in your best interests to provide specific examples for as many of the criteria as you can, within the space available in the application form. General examples which do not provide clear evidence of what you did are unlikely to provide sufficient evidence of meeting the criteria. Please read the candidate information form which contains full details of the application and selection process and information on Council membership. For further information on the application process please contact Ellis Reilly, Senior Policy Officer, Criminal Law and Sentencing unit at ellis.reillygov.scot For further information about what the role involves, please contact Dr. Hannah Graham, Member of the Scottish Sentencing Council, at h.m.grahamstir.ac.uk, or Ondine Tennant, Secretary to the Council, at otennantscotcourts.gov.uk. Conflict of Interest By submitting this application you are declaring that the information given in support of your application is, to the best of your knowledge and belief, true and complete. You understand that, if it is subsequently discovered that any statement is false or misleading, or that you have withheld relevant information, your application may be disqualified. In submission of this application you are also confirming understanding that all documentation associated with an appointment round will be held for two years following the announcement. If your application is successful, it will be held for the duration of your appointment. Under the terms of the Data Protection Act 1998, you agree that the information given in the application and monitoring forms may be processed to provide management information for appointment and equal opportunities monitoring purposes. Essential Dates The closing date for applications is 23:59 on Monday 6th January 2025. Interviews will be held on 20 January 2025 at St Andrew’s House, Edinburgh.