Mark Borland, president of the Law Society of Northern Ireland, addressed the 2026 admissions ceremony at Assembly Buildings in Belfast city centre on Friday.

The ceremony is widely regarded as an important and popular event in the legal calendar, marking the formal admission of solicitors to the roll in Northern Ireland.

This year’s ceremony was marked by several key milestones, including the admission of the first recipients of the Society’s centenary bursary, established in 2023 to address one of the key barriers to the solicitors’ profession faced by those from less advantaged backgrounds.

This year also saw an increase in those attending, with 140 newly-qualified solicitors accompanied by 500 guests, including Masters, friends, family and colleagues.

The ceremony also welcomed 15 solicitors admitted to the Northern Ireland roll under reciprocal arrangements with England and Wales and the Republic of Ireland.

As part of this year’s ceremony, the registrar of solicitors, David A. Lavery CB, presented the newly-admitted solicitors to the Lady Chief Justice for Northern Ireland, Dame Siobhan Keegan, and the Society’s president, Mark Borland.

During his keynote address to attendees, the president took the opportunity to welcome the next generation of solicitors and to remind them of their important role and invaluable services they provide to support clients and the local community throughout Northern Ireland. 

“I would also encourage you to look up occasionally and be mindful of the wider political, economic and legislative landscape that has a profound impact on our profession and our society as a whole,” he said.

“As solicitors we must ensure that the most vulnerable in our community — those who could not otherwise afford legal representation — are protected.”

During her address, the Lady Chief Justice reflected on the important role that newly admitted solicitors have within the legal profession in Northern Ireland.

Following the admission of the newly admitted solicitors, the Lady Chief Justice and the President presented several prizes.

The Solicitors Accounts Regulations Prize was awarded to Mark McCullough, who attained first place in the Solicitors Accounts Regulations exam for trainee solicitors.

The Edward Bergin Prize was awarded to Courtney Vance, who attained first place in the professional conduct exam for trainee solicitors.

The ceremony concluded with group photographs of all newly admitted solicitors with the Lady Chief Justice and the Society’s president.