Independent Review Board and Independent Complaints Board

Following the Equality and Human Rights Commission report in October 2020 into Antisemitism in the Labour Party the Party is setting up an independent complaints process to ensure we maintain the highest levels of trust and confidence in the way we handle complaints regarding protected characteristics.

This means setting up two new bodies that will be an integral part of the complaints process. These are an Independent Review Board (IRB) that will verify each complaint decision that involves protected characteristics and an Independent Complaints Board (ICB) that will hear appeals and if required, hold in-person hearings.

We are delighted to have this exciting opportunity to advertise for qualified and experienced lawyers for both the Independent Review Board and the Independent Complaints Board.

Independent Review Board (IRB) – Y1102

We are seeking 6 qualified and experienced solicitors or barristers with a track record in regulatory or disciplinary processes and ideally an interest in equalities law to review a case load of around 40 cases a month between them.

The role of the IRB will be to either veto or verify all disciplinary decisions (which involve protected characteristics) made by the Labour Party’s Disputes Panel. The pool of lawyers will work on a rotational basis with each working approximately once every 4 – 6 weeks.

The remuneration for this remote working role will be a day rate of £450.  You will be paid by, but not employed by the Labour Party. Additionally, these roles are only open to those who are not, and have not, been a member of a UK political party within the last 5 years.

Independent Complaints Board (ICB) – Y1103

We are looking for 4 independent complaints lawyers to chair independent complaints panels of three members. You will be joined at the panel by either an HR or regulatory expert and a lay member of the Labour Party.

You will be a qualified solicitor with 5 years or more experience or a qualified barrister with 5 years’ Call or more. You will have experience in regulatory or disciplinary processes and ideally, an interest in equalities law.

The role of the ICB will be to hear and determine appeals for disciplinary cases heard within the Labour Party’s independent complaint process and to hear a small number of in-person cases. There are likely to be approximately 10 appeal cases and 20 in person hearings a year which are expected to last 1 day but occasionally it could be two.

The remuneration for this role will be a day rate of £600. You will be paid by, but not employed by the Labour Party. Additionally, these roles are only open to those who are not or have not been a member of a UK political party either now or within the last 5 years.

Full details of requirements and competencies required are in the link below.

Please apply by visiting www.thewlisgraham.com/assignment-briefings  and following the instructions in the candidate brief quoting the relevant reference number – Y1102 or Y1103. The closing date for both roles is 5pm on 5th December. For a confidential conversation with Sarah Thewlis or for any other information please email applications@thewlisgraham.com