LAY MEMBERS FOR THE INVESTIGATION AND DISCIPLINARY PANELS

The Taxation Disciplinary Board deals with complaints and disciplinary matters affecting members of the Chartered Institute of Taxation and the Association of Taxation Technicians.

The Board now wishes to appoint several new lay members, including legally-qualified individuals, to its Investigation and Disciplinary Panels.  Lay members are those who are not members of either the Chartered Institute of Taxation or the Association of Taxation Technicians.

Members of the Investigation Panel meet in small committees to consider complaints and determine whether there is a prima facie case of misconduct by the member. They may also sit on Interim Orders Panels or act as assessors to hear appeals against decisions of the Investigation Committee.

Members of the Disciplinary Panel sit on Disciplinary Tribunals to hear cases referred by the Investigation Committee and, in appropriate cases, impose sanctions. These Panel members may also sit on Appeal Tribunals to hear appeals against findings made by Disciplinary Tribunals.

Lay members form an important safeguard for the public to ensure that all complaints are fairly and impartially investigated and handled in accordance with the Scheme. We are therefore looking for individuals from a wide variety of backgrounds who are committed to protection of the public and to maintaining and improving professional standards in the public interest. They are likely to have worked at a senior level in their own field and have experience of professional regulation.

Applicants must be able to:

1. 1. assimilate large quantities of information
2. 2. evaluate evidence logically and impartially
3. 3. formulate a coherent view of the case
4. 4. undertake structured decision making
5. 5. articulate their judgments at a Committee or Tribunal.

Legally-qualified members are eligible to chair the Disciplinary and Appeal Tribunals. In addition to the above qualities, they will need to have chairmanship skills and some familiarity with the law as it applies to professional regulation and discipline.

A fee of £350 is paid for a full day’s attendance at a Committee or Tribunal; £200 for a half-day. (A Tribunal Chairman receives £400 per diem.)

For more information on the role or to obtain an application form please contact the Executive Director of the Board via e-mail at nnagler@tax-board.org.uk. Applications must be submitted electronically by Thursday 31 October 2013 at 5pm. Interviews are likely to take place in late November/ early December, with appointment shortly thereafter. New Panel members will be required to complete initial training successfully, and their appointments will take effect from 1 April 2014.