Appointment of Judicial and Legal Profession Members to the NI Judicial Appointments Commission

The Executive Office can announce the appointment of Mr Justice Michael Humphreys to the NI Judicial Appointments Commission (NIJAC). Mr Justice Humphreys replaces Mr Justice Horner as the High Court Judge Commissioner in NIJAC.

The appointment is for a 5 year term from 14 March 2023 to 13 March 2028.
Mr Bernard Brady KC and Mr Michael Robinson have also been appointed as Legal Profession Members to the NI Judicial Appointments Commission (NIJAC).

The Legal Profession Members have been appointed for a 4 year term from 14 March 2023 to 13 March 2027. 
 

Notes to editors: 

1. The NI Judicial Appointments Commission (NIJAC) was established on 15 June 2005 under the Justice (NI) Act 2002 as amended by the Justice (NI) Act 2004. On the devolution of policing and justice powers in April 2010 the remit of the Commission was further expanded and NIJAC is currently responsible for selecting and appointing, or recommending for appointment, applicants in respect of all listed judicial offices up to and including High Court Judge.

2. The Commission comprises a Chair who is the Lady Chief Justice and 12 other members:

• five Judicial Members;
• two Legal Profession Members (a barrister nominated by the General Council of the Bar and a solicitor nominated by the Law Society); and
• five Lay Members.

3. In the absence of a First Minister and deputy First Minister, provision was recently made within section 6 of The Northern Ireland (Executive Formation etc) Act 2022 for the appointment function for a ‘specified office’ to be exercised by the relevant ‘Minister of the Crown’. Para 6 (2) of the amending legislation, the appointment of a member of the Northern Ireland Judicial Appointments Commission (‘specified office’) will be exercised by the Lord Chancellor (‘relevant Minister of the Crown’).

Political activity plays no part in the selection process and neither Mr Brady KC nor Mr Robinson has engaged in any political activity in the last five years. The time commitment for Commissioners in this role is 24-36 days per annum.

4. The Executive Office (TEO) holds sponsorship responsibility for the Commission.

5. Mr Bernard Brady KC is a barrister nominated by the General Council of the Bar of Northern Ireland and Mr Michael Robinson is a solicitor nominated by the Law Society of Northern Ireland. 

6. Remuneration for Legal Profession Members will be made in accordance with the Commissions fees schedule attracting a daily rate of £338.  Judicial Members, with the exception of the Lay Magistrate, are not remunerated for their appointment.

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