Judicial Appointments

Ms Justice Mary Irvine has been nominated by the Government for elevation to the Supreme Court. She previously served as a High Court judge from 2007 until 2014, when she was moved to the then-new Court of Appeal.

Barrister Mark McGarrity was sworn in as a district judge in the Magistrates' Courts this morning. A graduate of Queen's University Belfast and the Institute of Professional Legal Studies (IPLS), he called to The Bar of Northern Ireland in 2004 and The Bar of Ireland in 2011.

The number of ordinary judges in the Court of Appeal is set to grow from nine to 15 under new plans approved by the Government. The move has been sparked by fears that waiting times in the court, particularly on the civil side, could end up at a similar level to those in the Supreme Court before 201

The judicial retirement age should be raised to 74, the President of the UK Supreme Court has said. Lady Hale, 74, told peers that the judiciary should seek applicants for the High Court bench from lawyers in their 60s, who will no longer be concerned about reaching their maximum earning power.

Justice Minister Charlie Flanagan has warned that the slow passage of legislation that would reform the appointment of judges could destabilise the Government. Mr Flanagan was referring to how the bill has been handled in the Seanad, where some Senators have engaged in filibustering.

Barristers John Jordan SC and Alexander Owens SC have been nominated by the Government for appointment to the High Court. They will fill the vacancies created following the elevation of Ms Justice Caroline Costello and Ms Justice Isobel Kennedy to the Court of Appeal last November.

Representatives of the Law Society of Northern Ireland attended the swearing in of their former president, Mr Justice Ian Huddleston, as a High Court judge. The Lord Chief Justice of Northern Ireland, Sir Declan Morgan, yesterday swore in the judge, a former Council member and chairperson of the Law