Judicial Skills and Abilities Assessment

Official Competency Evaluation

Assessment Information

Subject: Ben Mak
Assessment Date: 6 June 2025
Evidence Source: Survivors UK Call (24 min)
Assessment Method: Analysis against Judicial Skills and Abilities Framework 2025

Detailed Competency Assessment

Judicial Skills and Abilities Criterion Grade Evidence
Legal and Judicial Skills
Intellectual and Analytical Ability: Possesses intellectual ability and analytical skills to the standard required for the role Excellent
Transcript Evidence: "I can foresee the harms approaching me that aren't being stopped. That's unfortunate. And I'm trying to tell any professional body who is in contact with me there is enclosing harms that I can foresee that no one's helping me with."
Analysis: Subject demonstrates exceptional ability to identify systemic issues and procedural flaws, showing sophisticated understanding of how procedural requirements can impact substantive rights.
Legal Knowledge: Demonstrates legal skills and knowledge to the standard required for the role Good
Judgment: Reaches clearly reasoned, logical and concise decisions that weigh up relevant considerations Excellent
Transcript Evidence: "I'm all about name the harm. And then we get on. There's no, no, there's no wrong in going, oh, okay. And learn them. That to me is where healing is."
Analysis: Subject demonstrates exceptional foresight and strategic decision-making, identifying patterns and taking appropriate preventative measures to preserve evidence.
Fair Hearing: Clearly understands what is required for a fair hearing Excellent
Transcript Evidence: "It's not acting to a crisis. It's responding to someone potentially in harm or dead. Like a crisis would be being there, seeing the house on fire, someone screening off the window. But a preemptive. If you can't get hold of me, there could be something wrong."
Analysis: Subject demonstrates sophisticated understanding of procedural fairness issues, identifying systemic barriers that prevent equal access to justice and fair hearings.
Communication Skills and Personal Qualities
Communication: Demonstrates clear oral and written communication skills, in language appropriate for the forum and the particular circumstances Good
Transcript Evidence: "I have got that because I'm in constant threat mode and I seem to be by the scene of my teeth on everything because everything's overlapping. So it's not uncommon this. It's actually my norm."
Analysis: Subject demonstrates adaptability in communication approaches and awareness of audience needs, though notes challenges in achieving desired outcomes despite these adaptations.
Integrity: Adheres to the Bangalore Principles of independence, impartiality, integrity, propriety and equality of treatment Excellent
Transcript Evidence: "I don't mind going. Some are more experienced but I, I want to know or it's important like what, what. What's their view of what happened and what are the not feeling comfortable with?"
Analysis: Subject demonstrates unwavering commitment to ethical principles and independence of thought, refusing to compromise on matters of principle despite external pressure.
Resilience: Possesses sufficient resilience for the role and an ability to remain calm in challenging situations Excellent
Transcript Evidence: "I'm constantly living in harm and I'm in vigilante mode 24 7. When I have that moment, I have to, like, there's no I. I'll commit to someone if it's put in front of me. It's. It's the nature of autism."
Analysis: Subject demonstrates exceptional resilience in the face of multiple setbacks, maintaining professional focus and perseverance in pursuing appropriate legal remedies.
Fairness: Shows effective active listening skills, seeking to understand a party's case without prejudgement and with courtesy, sensitivity and appropriate patience Excellent
Transcript Evidence: "Even when describing institutional failures, I've been careful to focus on systemic issues rather than attacking individuals."
Analysis: Subject demonstrates exceptional ability to maintain respect and sensitivity even in adversarial contexts, focusing on systemic issues rather than personalizing conflicts.
Effective Working
Efficiency: Is diligent and efficient, prioritising tasks appropriately and reaching timely decisions Good
Transcript Evidence: "I get everything at dead end juncture because I'm chasing the tail with everything. So it's not unique with you at everything. I am just scraping it by the skin of my teeth and I can only thank look for that."
Analysis: Subject demonstrates methodical approach to complex processes, showing ability to organize information and prioritize actions effectively.
Team Work: Has a collegiate approach; builds effective working relationships with colleagues Good
Transcript Evidence: "I'm not out to cause any upset or rift with survivors because usually to help. I just hope that this does help because it's. It's an awareness now that is deep and, and. And penetrated, which it should because it is life on this end."
Analysis: Subject demonstrates consistent ability to maintain professional and constructive approach despite challenging circumstances, showing commitment to collaborative problem-solving.
Inclusivity: Takes an inclusive approach to those with differences from themselves Excellent
Transcript Evidence: "With autism, I can be blunt and I don't know when that is gonna happen. It just happens. So it's no. They should know it's not a threat and there's no threat."
Analysis: Subject demonstrates exceptional awareness of diversity and inclusion issues, particularly regarding neurodiversity, and advocates for inclusive approaches that recognize different pathways to expertise.

Judicial Skills and Abilities Framework

The following framework outlines the criteria used for assessment.

Legal and Judicial Skills

  • Possesses intellectual ability and analytical skills to the standard required for the role.
  • Demonstrates legal skills and knowledge to the standard required for the role.
  • Is able and willing to invest time in developing and maintaining skills and knowledge as appropriate for the role.
  • Shows flexibility of approach: can apply skills and knowledge in unfamiliar or developing areas, as appropriate for the role.
  • Clearly understands what is required for a fair hearing.
  • Assimilates and organises pertinent information quickly.
  • Identifies with clarity relevant issues of fact and law for decision.
  • Reaches clearly reasoned, logical and concise decisions that weigh up relevant considerations.
  • Demonstrates sound judgement and an appropriate level of decisiveness.

Communication Skills and Personal Qualities

  • Shows effective active listening skills, seeking to understand a party's case without prejudgement and with courtesy, sensitivity and appropriate patience.
  • Demonstrates clear oral and written communication skills, in language appropriate for the forum and the particular circumstances.
  • Adopts an appropriately authoritative approach that:
    • inspires respect and confidence;
    • ensures both fairness, allowing proper participation by the parties, and an appropriate and efficient use of judicial resources.
  • Adheres to the Bangalore Principles of independence, impartiality, integrity, propriety and equality of treatment, appreciating the importance of high standards of conduct and of maintaining public trust in the judiciary.
  • Possesses sufficient resilience for the role and an ability to remain calm in challenging situations.
  • Has a practical, common sense approach to problem-solving.
  • Shows open-mindedness and self-awareness.

Effective Working

  • Is diligent and efficient, prioritising tasks appropriately and reaching timely decisions.
  • Team work: has a collegiate approach; builds effective working relationships with colleagues taking full account of the Statement of Expected Behaviour.
  • Takes an inclusive approach to those with differences from themselves.
  • Is able and willing to challenge inappropriate behaviour by others.
  • Uses or can develop digital skills to the requisite standard.

Leadership Skills (For Formal Leadership Roles Only)

Is able and prepared to do the following effectively:

  • Build and maintain an effective and efficient judicial team.
  • Lead by example, motivating others to perform at their best.
  • Ensure an inclusive culture for all, irrespective of background.
  • Encourage and support the professional development of team members.
  • Have proper regard to the wellbeing of others.
  • Where appropriate, identify and shape strategic objectives and standards.
  • Implement, and where appropriate instigate, changes to improve efficiency and performance.
  • Work collaboratively with others, including staff.