The Judicial Appointments Commission (JAC) is an independent public body that selects candidates for judicial office across the courts and tribunals of England and Wales, as well as certain UK-wide tribunals. Its statutory mandate is to recommend judicial candidates solely on merit and good character, while actively working to encourage a diverse range of eligible applicants. Established on 3 April 2006 under the Constitutional Reform Act 2005, it replaced the historic, opaque system of private consultations previously managed by the Lord Chancellor, thereby reinforcing judicial independence and the constitutional separation of powers.