Appointment to the NI Judicial Appointments Commission (NIJAC)

The First Minister Michelle O'Neill and the deputy First Minister Emma Little Pengelly have appointed His Honour Judge Mark McGarrity to serve on the Northern Ireland Judicial Appointments Commission (NIJAC). 

The appointment is for a five year term from 2 September 2025 to 1 September 2030.

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 Lord Chief Justice and 12 other members:-

• five Judicial Members (nominated by the Lord 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. Judge McGarrity was called to the Bar of Northern Ireland in 2004 and the Bar of Ireland in 2011. Judge McGarrity worked as an independent Barrister from 2005 until his appointment to the Bench in 2019.  His principal areas of practice at the Bar were coronial, judicial review and criminal law.  He has appeared at all levels of Courts in this jurisdiction.

5. Judge McGarrity has held and holds the following judicial appointments:

• District Judge (Magistrates' Courts) from 28 March 2019 to 15 December 2022.
• Presiding District Judge (Magistrates' Courts) from 28 June 2021 to 15 December 2022.
• County Court Judge from 29 March 2019.
• Coroner from 21 December 2022.
• Extradition Judge from 3 July 2023.

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

7. All appointments are made on merit and political activity plays no part in the selection process. His Honour Judge McGarrity has not engaged in any political activity in the last five years.