Four members reappointed to the Civil Justice Council

The Secretary of State for Justice has announced the reappointment of four members of the Civil Justice Council (CJC).

Diane Astin: interests of employees, and housing

Diane Astin has been reappointed to CJC from 15 October 2019 to 14 October 2022.

Diane is a practicing solicitor and university lecturer. She is a consultant at Deighton Peirce Glynn where she acts for legally aided clients, particularly in housing and Judicial Review cases. She also teaches civil justice and public law at Brunel University.

Diane Astin has not declared any political activity.

Nicola Critchley has been reappointed to CJC from 25 July 2019 to 24 July 2022.

Nicola is a Partner and Board member at Horwich Farrelly. She has extensive experience of dealing with high value costs litigation, costs budgeting, appeals, fraud, technical challenges, portal dropouts, infant approvals, FRCS issues and bulk test litigation on behalf of insurers, self-insured’s and organisations. Nicola chaired a CJC Working Group that supported reform in holiday sickness claims and is currently involved in the Whiplash Reforms. Nicola is a member of the Forum of Insurance Lawyers, sits on the Costs Focus Group and is treasurer of FOIL.

Nicola Critchley has not declared any political activity.

Ian Karet has been reappointed to CJC from 15 October 2019 to 14 October 2020.

Ian is a partner of Linklaters LLP specialising in Intellectual

Property. He is a Charity Commissioner and a Trustee of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Ian Karet has not declared any political activity.

Matthew Smerdon has been reappointed to the CJC from 1 October 2019 to 30 September 2022.

Matthew is Chief Executive of The Legal Education Foundation, a grant making trust that works to help people understand and use the law. Matthew has been involved in access to justice work for over twenty years through a variety of roles in the voluntary sector.

Matthew Smerdon has not declared any political activity