Appointments to the NI Judicial Appointments Commission (NIJAC)

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 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 (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 Justice (Northern Ireland) Act 2002 Act provides for the First Minister and deputy First Minister to appoint Commissioners.

4.  Dr Geraldine O’Hare is a Consultant Forensic Psychologist, a Chartered Scientist and an Associate Fellow of the British Psychological Society (BPS), and the Psychological Society of Ireland (PSI).  Dr O’Hare worked for 30 years in the Criminal Justice System in Northern Ireland as the Head of Psychological Services and Director of Rehabilitation with the Probation Board for Northern Ireland. She led on many justice and rehabilitation initiatives and was awarded a Churchill Fellowship to study in the USA and received the BPS Presidential Award for Innovation, Leadership and Practice for her work.  She is a graduate from Queens University Belfast, University of Ulster, University of Leicester and the University of Roehampton, London.

5.  Dr O’Hare now works independently across a number of health and justice sectors nationally and internationally.  She has extensive Chair and Board member experience and brings her governance and regulatory skills, and her professional training and expertise to NIJAC.   Dr O’Hare is the Chair and Lead Psychologist for the BPS training for Forensic Psychologists across the UK and she is the Chair of the Society’s Northern Ireland Branch.

6.  Other Public Appointments:  Dr O’Hare is President of the Pharmaceutical Society NI which is remunerated at the daily rate of £335 and Chair of the Risk Management Authority Scotland which is remunerated at the daily rate of £335.   She is also remunerated for other roles which are non-public appointments.

7.  Mr Osborne has been involved in reconciliation and peace building developments in Northern Ireland in senior levels of leadership, policy and decision-making roles.  He has managed and delivered programmes and assignments relevant to public policy with central and local government, on leadership, community cohesion, community support, strategy and planning, throughout Northern Ireland and the border counties.

8.  Mr Osborne’s voluntary commitments include: Chair of the Centre for Cross Border Cooperation; Chair of Remembering Srebrenica NI and on the board of the charity in the UK; and Chair of the Integrated Education Fund. He was Chair of the Community Relations Council, a Board member of the International Fund for Ireland and voluntary Director of Extern and Extern Ireland, and was a Commissioner or Chair of the Parades Commission for ten years.

9.  Mr Osborne founded and chaired for the first seven years, Landmark East (now Eastside Property), a large property-based social enterprise in East Belfast, with an asset base of £15 million, during which time he picked up the Aisling Award for Business Achievement.  Most recently Peter received an award for his contribution to inter-faith understanding and co-operation.

10.  Other Public Appointments:  Mr Osborne is a Member of the NI Policing Board (until November 2026) with annual remuneration of £15,000 and is a Trustee on the Board of National Museums NI which is non remunerated.

11.  All appointments are made on merit and political activity plays no part in the selection process. However, the Commissioner for Public Appointments requires the political activity of appointees to be published. Dr O’Hare and Mr Osborne have not been engaged in any political activity in the last five years.

12.  Lord Justice Treacy was first appointed as a Commissioner in the Northern Ireland Judicial Appointments Commission for a five year term from 4 May 2021 to 3 May 2026.

13.  Remuneration for Lay Members to NIJAC will be made in accordance with the Commission’s fees schedule attracting a daily rate of £355.25.   Judicial Members, with the exception of the Lay Magistrate Commissioner, are not remunerated for their role.