Health Minister, has announced the appointment
of a Non-Executive Member to the Children's Court Guardian Agency
for Northern Ireland.
Kathryn Stevenson has been appointed as the Non-Executive Member
(Legal). The appointment commenced on 1 January 2025 and will end
on a date not later than 31 December 2028.
The Agency's Non-Executive Member position attracts remuneration
of £4,383 per annum with a time commitment of 30 days per annum.
This appointment was made in accordance with the Code of Practice
issued by the Commissioner for Public Appointments for Northern
Ireland.
The Children's Court Guardian Agency for Northern Ireland was
established by the Children's Court Guardian Agency for Northern
Ireland (Establishment and Constitution) Order, which came into
operation on 6 March 2023. The Agency's primary function is to
allocate children's court guardians who are appointed by the
court to promote the best interests of, and to represent the
views of, children and young people in family law proceedings,
including care and adoption proceedings.
The Agency's Board comprises a Non-Executive Chair, four
Non-Executive Members and the Chief Executive.
Notes to Editors:
- Kathryn Stevenson was called to the Roll of Solicitors in
Northern Ireland in 1997. She worked in private practice
and developed a special interest in the areas of child and family
law before joining the Children's Law Centre (CLC) in 2000.
Kathryn initially took up post as Education Solicitor at CLC and
has extensive knowledge of the law relating to education in
Northern Ireland and children's rights. In 2009, she was
appointed Head of Legal Services, with lead responsibility for
operational planning, management and strategic development of
CLC's in-house Legal Team, delivering a child-rights focused
specialist legal advice and representation service for children
and young people. Kathryn provides expert guidance and support to
legal staff on casework and strategic litigation undertaken by
CLC to bring about progressive changes in law and practice
relating to children in Northern Ireland.
- Appointments to the Children's Court Guardian Agency for
Northern Ireland are made by the Health Minister.
- All appointments are made on merit and political activity
plays no part in the selection process. However,
the Commissioner for Public Appointments for Northern Ireland
requires the political activity of appointees to be
published. The appointee has declared that they have not
engaged in any political activity in the last five years.
