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Legal Chair (Tribunal Panel) Information pack

The FRC does not accept any liability to any party for any loss, damage or costs howsoever arising, whether directly or indirectly, whether in contract, tort or otherwise from any action or decision taken (or not taken) as a result of any person relying on or otherwise using this document or arising from any omission from it.

The Financial Reporting Council Limited is a company limited by guarantee. Registered in England number 2486386. Registered Office: 13th Floor, 1 Harbour Exchange Square, London, E14 9GE

Introduction

The Appointment Committee seeks to appoint legal qualified members to the Financial Reporting Council (FRC) Tribunal Panel.

The FRC Tribunal Panel determines disciplinary proceedings in the public interest involving auditors, accountants and actuaries. Its work is evidence-led and frequently involves contested evidence and expert testimony, with significant professional, regulatory and reputational consequences for those concerned.

Tribunal Chairs play a central role in directing proceedings, ensuring fairness and independence, and delivering clear, authoritative and well-reasoned decisions in matters of public interest.

Applicants must have held senior judicial office or equivalent adjudicative responsibility, with substantial experience of leading complex hearings, including disciplinary or regulatory proceedings, managing multi-member panels and producing clear, authoritative decisions.

The FRC believes that equality of opportunity and diversity is important in the work that we do and we are strongly committed to making inclusive appointments.

This pack provides some of the key information about the role and we hope it helps you decide whether to apply to join the Tribunal Panel.

Foreword from the Senior Legal Chair, Lady Sarah Wolffe

Successful businesses help create a strong UK economy.

Businesses communicate their success, in part, by the accounts and reports they publish and on which those choosing to invest in, or trade with, those businesses may rely. It is vital that published financial information is of the highest standard. Businesses also depend on the competence and integrity of professional advisers, such as accountants, whether acting as auditors, financial advisors or as officers of companies.

The FRC fulfils an important public interest as it is vested with statutory responsibility to oversee the work of UK statutory auditors. It also has regulatory responsibilities in respect of accountants and actuaries by virtue of agreements with their professional bodies.

However, when the regulatory oversight the FRC exercises in a case cannot be resolved by constructive engagement, the case may be referred to the relevant disciplinary tribunal.

The disciplinary tribunals and their members are all independent from the FRC.

Each tribunal is chaired by a senior lawyer, who sits with an accountant or actuary member (depending on the respondent's profession) possessing the requisite experience and ability, and with a lay member who has considerable experience in business.

The conduct of tribunal hearings is akin to, but less formal than, hearings in courts of law.

I was first appointed as legal chair in 2022. One of the professionally satisfying features of sitting as part of a three-person tribunal is the collegial aspect of the tribunal's work and, as chair, ensuring the effective participation of, and expression of views by, the other members.

Another interesting aspect of the tribunal's work, in the event an adverse finding is made, is the wide variety sanctions available to the tribunal, and its ability to apply these in combination, in order to fulfil the primary purpose of sanctions, which is not to punish, but to protect the public and the wider public interest'.

Members of the Tribunal Panel should possess professional expertise or commercial experience as well as a sense of justice. They should also demonstrate an ability to engage in critical analysis and to articulate the tribunal's findings in a clear, well-reasoned decision. The cases a tribunal may hear are often demanding, but they are also interesting, and the work is personally rewarding because it involves the public interest.

I encourage all of you who are interested in this work of public importance to apply.

About the Financial Reporting Council

The Financial Reporting Council's (FRC's) purpose is to serve the public interest and support UK economic growth by upholding high standards of corporate governance, corporate reporting, audit and actuarial work.

We regulate auditors, accountants and actuaries, and we set the UK's Corporate Governance and Stewardship Codes. We promote transparency and integrity in business. Our work is aimed at investors and others who rely on company reports, audit and high-quality risk management.

The FRC is the 'competent authority' for audit in the UK and enforces audit requirements under the Audit Enforcement Procedure (AEP). The FRC is also the independent disciplinary body for accountants and actuaries, and operates the Accountancy and Actuarial Schemes (Schemes).

As the competent authority for audit, the FRC maintains the Public Interest Entity (PIE) Auditor Register and operates the PIE Auditor Registration Regulations (PIE ARR) under which registration decisions can be appealed to a tribunal.

The FRC also operates sanctions procedures under its Auditor Regulatory Sanctions Procedure and the Crown Dependencies Recognised Auditor Sanctions Procedures.

The FRC is governed by its Board. The Board discharges some of its responsibilities directly and others through its two governance committees (the Audit & Risk Committee and the People Committee) and its regulatory Committee (the Conduct Committee). The regulatory committee is supported by Senior Advisors.

About the FRC's enforcement work

The objectives of the FRC's enforcement work are to:

Drive the application of high standards in corporate reporting, auditing and actuarial work through proportionate and risk-focused enforcement action where it is in the public interest.
Promote improvements and innovation in these areas by communicating clear and impactful messages through enforcement cases and publications, and through the setting and monitoring of effective non-financial sanctions.

The FRC's Case Examinations and Enquiries Team assess cases and the Case Examiner (overseen by the Conduct Committee) will determine whether cases should be taken through constructive engagement or referred to the Conduct Committee. The Conduct Committee will consider the Case Examiner's report and decide whether the matters merit a preliminary enquiry or investigation conducted either by the FRC's Executive Counsel or the relevant Recognised Supervisory Body (RSB).

Many investigations may subsequently either be closed without further action or conclude with a Settlement Agreement. A smaller number of cases will reach the Tribunal stage. Investigations may take several years before they reach the Tribunal stage and the number of investigations reaching the Tribunal stage varies each year.

Further information about the FRC's enforcement procedures can be found on the FRC website Enforcement page and in the FRC's Annual Enforcement Reviews.

About the Tribunal Panel

Members of the Tribunal Panels are appointed by the independent Appointment Committee. The Appointment Committee is independent from the FRC Board, Conduct Committee and Executive Counsel. Each Tribunal Panel member is appointed on the basis that they have the appropriate qualifications and experience and demonstrate the necessary competencies to sit on a Tribunal.

Under the FRC's enforcement procedures, the Convener is responsible for appointing Tribunals from members of the Tribunal Panel on a case-by-case basis depending on members' suitability and availability and ensuring no conflicts of interest.

The Tribunal Panel consist of legal chairs, members with auditing experience, accountancy members, actuarial members and lay members. Tribunals will be chaired by a legally qualified member of the Tribunal Panel (Legal Chair) and will also include at least one lay person and one accountant/auditor/actuarial member.

About Tribunal Hearings

The FRC Tribunals are composed of either three or five individuals drawn from the Tribunal Panel. Tribunals will always include a majority of non-auditors, non-accountants or non-actuaries. The Chair of every Tribunal will be a qualified lawyer of suitable experience.

Every three-person Tribunal will include: (i) an auditor, accountant or actuary; and (ii) a lay person. Every five-person Tribunal will include: (i) at least one, but no more than two, auditors, accountants or actuaries; (ii) a lay person; and/or (iii) a further lay or legally qualified person. To ensure their independence no member of a Tribunal may be an officer or employee of any of the professional accountancy or actuarial bodies, or of the FRC.

Tribunal hearings are normally held in public, however, procedural requirements may also require certain hearings to be held in private. Normally, if the case is contested, the Tribunal will be presented with evidence in the case. Witnesses may be called and asked to give oral evidence. They may be cross-examined.

Further information regarding the Tribunal Panels, the work of Tribunals, and current Tribunal Panel members can be found at: https://www.frc.org.uk/about-the-frc/tribunals

The Role and its responsibilities

Tribunal matters are normally decided by a majority vote and Tribunal members must determine the substantive issues of a case, and if appropriate, any sanction.

Under the Accountancy and Actuarial Schemes, the collective role and responsibilities of a Tribunal include:

Hear a Formal Complaint delivered by the FRC's Executive Counsel under the Scheme against a Member and/or Member Firm or appeal, and determine whether to make an Adverse Finding, or uphold the appeal;
Determine any sanction(s);
Consider and determine applications for Interim Orders
Consider and determine costs applications;
Provide reasons for the tribunal's decisions.

Under the Audit Enforcement Procedure, the role and responsibilities of a Tribunal include:

Legal Chairs as Independent Reviewers (paper exercises)

If Executive Counsel decides a Respondent is liable for Enforcement Action and the Respondent has agreed to a Proposed Decision Notice, consider that Proposed Decision Notice and approve or decline issuance as a Final Decision Notice;
Consider a Proposed Settlement Decision Notice and approve or decline issuance as a Final Settlement Decision Notice.

All Tribunal members

Consider and determine Interim Orders;
Consider Parties' applications for the amendment of the Allegation;
Approve proposed Case Management Directions or, where the Parties cannot agree, provide Case Management Directions;
Take into account any relevant evidence;
Request further written evidence or witness statements if necessary;
Apply the rules of natural justice;
Determine whether breaches of Relevant Requirements have occurred;
Provide a Final Decision Notice on liability with written reasons for the Tribunal's finding drafted by the Legal Chair;
Provide a Final Decision Notice on Sanction and Costs.

Under the Crown Dependencies Regulatory Auditor Sanctions Procedure and the Audit Regulatory Sanctions Procedure, the collective role and responsibilities of an Independent Sanctions Tribunal include:

Make findings in respect of the alleged failures to comply with the Regulatory Framework for Auditing;
Determine a Sanction or accept written undertakings by the Registered Auditor;
Make a report setting out its decision and reasons and any related determinations to the FRC's Conduct Committee.

Under the PIE Auditor Registration Regulations, the collective role and responsibilities of an Appeal Tribunal include:

Determine appeals against the outcome of Internal Review decisions;
Issue written decisions, with reasons, to the Parties.

Candidate requirements

This role is intended for candidates with experience comparable to that of a senior judge, such as:

a current or former High Court judge;
a current or former Upper Tribunal judge or judge in a similarly complex specialist or appellate tribunal;
a current or former circuit judge or equivalent with significant civil or regulatory judicial experience; or
an individual who has exercised equivalent judicial responsibility in another UK or common law jurisdiction.

Appointment will normally be limited to applicants whose experience demonstrates authority over procedural and substantive issues, including presiding over contested hearings, directing multi-week proceedings, and issuing detailed, reasoned determinations affecting parties' rights in disciplinary or regulatory contexts.

Legal qualification alone (for example, as a barrister, solicitor or advocate) is not sufficient without substantial senior judicial experience.

Candidates should be able to demonstrate a strong legal background and experience in making case directions and chairing complex hearings with robust legal representation from both parties.

Candidates should be confident in reading, analysing and distilling very substantial volumes of documentation, both in paper and electronic format.

Candidates should be experienced in writing up reports/decisions on complex matters in a timely, succinct and logical manner, providing clear evidential reasons for the Tribunal's conclusions. Candidates may be asked to provide an example of a recent judgment or decision they have drafted to the Appointment Committee.

Candidates should be competent in facilitating constructive discussions and building consensus within a multi-disciplinary, diverse Panel where all members are equal in the decision-making process.

Legal Chairs must have the time available to direct and lead multiple-week hearings efficiently. This role could suit someone who is retired or partially retired or able to accommodate multiple week hearings and the subsequent drafting of the Tribunal's Decision amongst other work commitments.

Shortlisted candidates will be required to show a letter of good standing from their professional body.

In addition to their professional experience, the Appointment Committee seek candidates who can demonstrate the core competencies required of all members of the Tribunal Panel. These competencies will form the basis of an candidates' application from and will be tested at interview.

Exercising Judgement

Integrity and an independence of mind to make incisive, fair, evidence-based and sound decisions.
An ability to apply a public interest perspective.
An understanding of the Nolan Principles and the Regulators' Code.

Analysis of information

Strong intellectual qualities and an ability to grasp complex, often technical concepts.
Experience in analysing and distilling large volumes of information to achieve a clear understanding of the relevant issues.

Managing work efficiently

An ability to plan and organise effectively.
Can manage the workload and the available resources within prescribed timelines.

Learning and Developing

A willingness to take on continuous learning.
Has an up-to-date understanding of the current regulatory environment in the UK.
Abreast with the developments and challenges within their professional discipline.

Working as a team

Values diversity and shows sensitivity and respect to everyone you work with.
A willingness be a constructive member of a collective decision-making body.
Experience in listening to, taking on board, and navigating competing views.

Effective communication

An ability to communicate effectively within a team.
An ability to ask questions with confidence and to frame thoughts and opinions clearly, courteously and effectively.

IT Competency

A proficiency in working with information technology without additional support.
Experience in engaging with new information technology applications/programmes.

Handling information Competence in handle sensitive and confidential information in accordance with FRC's information handling policies and UK law.

Time and Commitment - Candidates should also have sufficient time and the capacity and capability to sit on a Tribunals. Please see below for the expected time commitment.

Eligibility Criteria

Please ensure that you are eligible to join the Tribunal Panel by reviewing the eligibility criteria below. Legal Chairs may be asked to lead Tribunals under any of the procedures listed above under the role and its responsibilities.

The candidate should have relevant senior judicial experience as noted above, as well as holding relevant legal qualifications.

Preference will be given to candidates with a background in the context of disciplinary, regulatory, chancery and / or commercial law.

The candidate should have an understanding of audit / accountancy work, financial statements and actuarial work.

Candidates must not:

Be a current serving member of a governing body, officer or employee of any of the Participants, Recognised Supervisory Bodies or other professional accountancy bodies.
Have been a member of a governing body, officer or employee of any of the Participants or Recognised Supervisory Bodies within the three years prior to appointment.
Be a member, employee, director, committee member or officer of the FRC or its subsidiaries.
Have been a member, employee, director, committee member or officer of the FRC or its subsidiaries within the three years prior to appointment.
A practicing auditor or individual who has during the previous 3 years:
1. carried out statutory audits;
2. held voting rights in an audit firm;
3. been a member of the administrative, management or supervisory body of an audit firm;
4. been a partner or employee, or otherwise contracted by an audit firm; or
5. been personally contracted to provide services to an audit firm.

Conflicts of interest

It is crucial that members of a Tribunal should act, and be seen to be act, objectively and impartially. They should be free of any conflict of interest.

Tribunal Panel members that are in any way concerned with the investigation or the proceeding brought before a Tribunal will not be appointed to that Tribunal.

No Panel member appointed to a Disciplinary Tribunal will be appointed to a subsequent Appeal Tribunal to consider an appeal from that Disciplinary Tribunal.

All members of the Tribunal Panel are required to complete a Statement of Independence whenever they are approached by the Convener to serve on a Tribunal. The statement should declare any information that might be relevant to a member's suitability to sit on a particular Tribunal.

Immediately following appointment, Tribunal Panel accountancy members are required to provide a written undertaking that they will not seek or accept appointment as an officer, employee, or member of the governing body of any of Participants of the Schemes.

Terms of the Appointment

Expected time commitment

Candidates will need to be prepared to devote sufficient time to the business of a tribunal, including attending sitting days and work in preparation for and post hearings. Cases are often complex and some hearings may take several weeks to conclude. However, members are unlikely to be selected for more than one Tribunal a year. Legal Chairs will also be required to draft, with support of the other members, a comprehensive report on the Tribunal's findings.

Fees and expenses

A daily fee of £1,249 will be paid to Legal Chairs in respect of tribunal hearings. Pro rata fees will also be paid for reading papers in advance of hearings, other preparation work and any pre-hearing/post-hearing matters. In addition, the reasonable expenses incurred in performing the duties of the appointment will be reimbursed in accordance with FRC policy. Panel members are asked to submit claim forms to the FRC detailing the number of hours completed and evidence of any expenses incurred.

Length of appointment terms

The initial term of appointment will be for two or three years. Subject to continuing eligibility, members may be considered by the Appointments Committee for a further term and will be asked to complete a reappointment self-assessment.

Members may be removed from the Tribunal Panel if the Appointment Committee considers that the behaviour, actions or conflicts of interest of that member warrant the removal.

Other terms and conditions

Members will receive an induction and will be expected to attend appropriate training. Attendance at training is paid based on the daily fee.

Recruitment Process and how to apply

Applications should be received no later than 31 March 2026 and sent to [email protected]

A short covering letter of not more than two A4 sized pages explaining why this appointment interests you. Your application should provide written examples providing evidence that you can meet the requirements of the role. Please ensure your cover letter contains all the necessary information and avoid directing the Committee to your CV or social media profiles.

Your current CV with educational and professional qualifications and full employment history, explaining any gaps in your employment history, highlighting relevant achievements in recent posts.
The names of at least two referees who may be contacted at shortlist stage, i.e., before the final interview, describing in what capacity and over what period of time they have known you. Referees will not be contacted without your consent.
Shortlisted candidates will be invited to attend an interview, and final appointments will be subject to the provision of two satisfactory professional references and;
Final stage candidates will be asked to provide a confirmation from their professional body of their qualification and good standing in their profession.

Schedule	Date
Applications close	31 March 2026
Shortlisting	Mid-April 2026
Interviews	27 & 29 April 2026
Term of office begins	By 31 August 2026

Please email your application to [email protected] no later than 31 March 2026

Diversity of applicants

The Appointment Committee understands and values the benefits that diversity can bring to a decision-making group. It aims to reflect the diversity of the FRC's stakeholders in the Tribunal Panel and make good use of the differences, in terms of skills, experience, background, race, sexual orientation and gender, that candidates can offer to enhance the approach and effectiveness of the Panel. All appointments will be made strictly on merit after an open and transparent recruitment process.

The FRC is a signatory to the Government's Disability Confident scheme, which means that we guarantee an interview to any disabled candidates entering under the scheme, should they meet the minimum criteria for a role.

Applicants can request some reasonable adjustments to assist them during recruitment process via the application form.

Data handling

Any Personal data will be stored in accordance with applicable laws and will only be kept as long as needed for the purposes of this recruitment exercise or as otherwise required by applicable law. Please see our Recruitment Privacy Notice for more information.

Further information

Further information is available on the FRC's website. If you have any specific questions that are not answered in this pack, please email [email protected]

Financial Reporting Council

London office: 13th Floor, 1 Harbour Exchange Square, London, E14 9GE

Birmingham office: 5th Floor, 3 Arena Central, Bridge Street, Birmingham, B1 2AX

+44 (0)20 7492 2300

www.frc.org.uk

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