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You are here: BAILII >> Databases >> The Law Commission >> The Fortieth Annual Report of the Law Commission (Report) [2006] EWLC 299(10) (14 June 2006) URL: http://www.bailii.org/ew/other/EWLC/2006/299(10).html Cite as: [2006] EWLC 299(10)

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PART 10

STAFF AND RESOURCES

RECRUITMENT AND WORKING PATTERNS

10.1      The Commission prides itself on recruiting and retaining the highest calibre of staff to work on its varied and challenging projects. The low level of staff turnover is one indication that staff enjoy their work and the atmosphere at the Commission. When posts are open to non-civil servants, for example the annual Research Assistant recruitment, vacancies are advertised on the Commission's website with brochures, recruitment criteria, guidance and application forms available for downloading and returning on-line.
10.2      There are a wide variety of work/life balance arrangements in place, such as home-working and working compressed hours. In addition, permanent appointments, loans, secondments and short-term appointments are also welcomed.

STAFF

10.3      The Commissioners very much appreciate the dedication and expertise of all the staff at the Law Commission. During the period of this Report several members of staff moved on for the sake of career development in the usual way. The Commissioners are grateful for their contribution to the work of the Commission. See Diag 10.1 for further information on changing staffing levels.


Legal staff

10.4      The Commission's lawyers are barristers or solicitors from a wide range of professional backgrounds, including academia, private practice and public service. They are recruited usually through public advertisements.
10.5      This year the Commission welcomed Tola Amodu, Lydia Clapinska, Janet Cowdray, Geoff Davies, Alex Marsh, Joanna Miles, Cheryl Morris and Peter Tyldesley and said goodbye to Elizabeth Finlason and Helen Carr. The names of all current legal staff are set out at the beginning of Parts 4 to 8 above.
10.6      Parliamentary Draftsmen who prepare the draft Bills attached to the law reform reports, and who also undertake the consolidation of existing legislation, are seconded to the Law Commission from the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel. The Commission is very grateful to them for all their expertise and hard work.

Research assistants

10.7      Each year a dozen or so well qualified graduates are recruited to assist with research, drafting and creative thinking. They generally spend a year or two at the Commission before moving on to further their legal training and career. The selection process is extremely thorough and the Commission aims to attract a diverse range of candidates at university law fairs and through contact with careers advisers, as well as through advertisements in various newspapers and journals. For many Research Assistants, working at the Commission has been a rung on the ladder to an extremely successful career. The Commission recognises the contribution they make, not least through their enthusiastic commitment to the work of law reform and their lively participation in debate.

Corporate Services Team

10.8      The Commission has continued to benefit from the experience, expertise and commitment of its small Corporate Services Team (CST) of administrative staff. The CST is responsible for accommodation, communications, health and safety, human resources, information technology, programme management, publishing, records management, resource accounting, secretarial assistance and security. These support services help the Commission to function effectively and smoothly.
10.9      Phil Golding, Head of Corporate Services, moved to a post in DCA in September 2005 and was replaced by Ann Achow. Three staff retired; Christina Cawe in the autumn, Reta Mabbs in March and Audrey Menditta in April. Jessica Litten, the Communications Manager, took a career break and was succeeded by Correna Callender in April 2006. Kumarpal Soni and Yasmin Rahman joined the Facilities and Records Management Team in April 2006.
10.10      The CST values the help available to them from colleagues in the DCA, in particular from the Civil Law and Justice Division and the Human Resources Directorate. The CST is also grateful to the Facilities and Departmental Security Division and DCA's Health and Safety Branch.

Library staff

10.11      The Library service continues to provide a vital information service in support of the legal work of the Commission. The Law Commission makes use, reciprocally, of a number of other libraries and particular thanks are due to the libraries of the Supreme Court, the Department for Constitutional Affairs, and the Institute of Advanced Legal Studies. In addition, a large collection of printed sources is available for research. Library staff also provide training and advice in all areas of legal information research. In co-operation with DCA, the Library also provides a one-year library trainee programme for graduates intending to pursue a professional library and information studies course.
10.12      The Library makes full use of the Internet and other electronic services and databases. Where possible, these are also made available via each individual desktop PC. The internet is also being used to make available old Law Commission Reports and Consultation Papers via the British and Irish Legal Information Institute (www.bailii.org/). This is an ongoing process and we hope to make the remaining papers available during the course of the next year. In the meantime, all papers are available electronically from the Communications team.
10.13      The Law Commission library staff are employed by the Library Information Service (LIS), which provides the judiciary and staff in the DCA, HMCS, and associated offices with the information resources and publications needed to carry out their work.

(Signed) SIR ROGER TOULSON, Chairman

HUGH BEALE

STUART BRIDGE

JEREMY HORDER

KENNETH PARKER

STEVE HUMPHREYS, Chief Executive

15 May 2006