Appointment to the NI Judicial Appointments Commission (NIJAC)

The First Minister, Michelle O’Neill, MLA, and the deputy First Minister, Emma Little Pengelly, MLA, have appointed Ms Patricia Mac Bride, to serve on the Northern Ireland Judicial Appointments Commission (NIJAC).

The appointment is for a five-year term from 3 September 2024 to 2 September 2029.

Notes to editors: 

1. The Northern Ireland Judicial Appointments Commission (NIJAC) was established on 15 June 2005 under the Justice (Northern Ireland) Act 2002 as amended by the Justice (Northern Ireland) 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 Chairman who is the Lady Chief Justice and 12 other members:-

• five Judicial Members (nominated by the Lady Chief Justice);
• 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 (Recruited by an open competition regulated by the Commissioner for Public Appointments NI.)

3. The Executive Office holds sponsorship responsibility for the Commission and the 2002 Act provides for the First Minister and deputy First Minister to appoint Commissioners.

4. Ms Mac Bride was appointed as a Lay Magistrate in 2005 following the Review of Criminal Justice. She currently works in refugee and asylum law. She has significant Director level experience that spans the public sector, private sector and charity/NGO/community sector, specializing in communication, regulatory and legislative compliance, equality and diversity and strategic planning.

5. Ms Mac Bride holds:

• LLM in Human Rights Law and Transitional Justice from Ulster University;
• Diploma in Management and Leadership from the Chartered Management Institute; and
• Diploma in Mediation from the European Security and Defence College.

6. Ms Mac Bride Served as Commissioner for Victims and Survivors from 2008 until 2012 and was responsible for the development of a comprehensive needs assessment which informed government policy and spend in respect of victims and survivors of the conflict.

7. Ms Mac Bride is a former Chair of the charity Victim Support at Court; is a Trustee of Gaelscoil naSpeiríní and Director of Women in Media (CIC)

8. Judicial members with the exception of the lay magistrate are not remunerated for their appointment.

9. All appointments are made on merit and political activity plays no part in the selection process. Ms MacBride has undertaken not to engage in any political activity on taking up appointment.

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