The Ministry of Justice has launched a consultation on the draft Judicial Pensions (Amendment) Regulations 2024, which are designed to help facilitate the efficient functioning of the Judicial Pension Scheme.

In particular, the consultation outlines plans to amend the Judicial Pensions (Fee-Paid Judges) Regulations 2017 (the FPJPS regulations), the Judicial Pensions Regulations 2015, the Judicial Pensions Regulations 2022 (the JPS22 regulations), and the Public Service Pensions Act 2013 (Judicial Offices) Order 2015.

As well as a number of technical amendments, the update includes changes to required to comply with the Public Service Pensions Act 2013 (the PSPA 13), providing for an employer cost cap in JPS22 following the completion of the first scheme valuation in February 2024.

In addition to this, the amendments will extend various deadlines for member elections in FPJPS, to ensure that there is sufficient time to provide affected members with illustrative information about the options open to them and to allow them time to make considered choices.

To improve the operation of FPJPS and better mirror the provisions of the Judicial Added Benefits Scheme available to salaried judges, amendments will also be made to the additional benefits provisions in the FPJPS regulations.

The consultation, which closes on 14 April, is aimed at judicial office holders, salaried and fee-paid, who are entitled to be a member of the judicial pension scheme, particularly any member of FPJPS and/or JPS22, although the government said that it also welcomes views from anyone who is concerned with the operation of the judicial pension scheme.

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