Lay Members appointed 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 2002 Act provides for the First Minister and deputy First Minister to appoint Commissioners.

4. Mrs Deirdre Toner has over 35 years of experience as a Senior Leader, leading organisations in public sector, health and justice sector and 25 years of Chair and Board member experience in health trusts, regulatory bodies, policing, mental health, health inequality and rights based organisations. As a graduate /postgraduate in Public Policy and human rights law, Deirdre has a keen interest in supporting organisations that promote good governance, public accountability and improving life chances. Deirdre lives in Newry near her grown up family and volunteers locally with bodies representing vulnerable groups.

5. Deirdre is the Chair of the Civil Service Commission NI which is remunerated at the rate of £16,000 per annum with a commitment of 1 day per week and serves as an Independent panel member with the General Optical Council which attracts a daily rate of £427 and has a time commitment of 1 day per month.

6. Mr Mark Mitchell is a former Managing Director with strong governance, operational, and commercial acumen. Mark has over 30 years’ experience at board level across manufacturing, engineering, food production and international operations. He has served on executive boards in businesses across the UK, Ireland, Asia and the Middle East, contributed to high-level strategy, risk oversight, investment decisions and stakeholder governance. He has worked closely with shareholders, parent companies and group boards to align operations with long-term corporate strategy and led international expansions, factory openings, and performance turnarounds. He is recognised for mentoring emerging leaders, fostering effective teams and building resilient organisational cultures. He is a former director of British Expertise, promoting UK industry and services abroad—offering valuable insight into governance, diplomacy and policy influence.  Mark is currently engaged as an Associate with McWilliams Associates providing leadership and management training across the private sector and in local government. He is also a Non-Executive Director on the Board of Cunningham Covers Ltd in Maghera. 

7. Mark is a Non-Executive Member of the Audit and Risk Assurance Committee supporting the Police Service of Northern Ireland, a role which is remunerated at a daily rate of £500 with a commitment of 1 day per month.

8. 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. Mrs Toner and Mr Mitchell have not been engaged in any political activity in the last five years.

9. Remuneration will be made in accordance with the Commission’s fees schedule attracting a daily rate of £355.25.

10. Media queries should be directed to the TEO press office via email – press.office@executiveoffice-ni.gov.uk

11. The Executive Information Service operates an out of hours’ service for media enquiries only between 1800hrs and 0800hrs Monday to Friday and at weekends and public holidays. The duty press officer can be contacted on 028 9037 8110.