UK Supreme Court Blog

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Hugh Tomlinson KC, Matthew Ryder KC, Dévante Gravesande-Smith and Rebecca Khan (Matrix)

It appears that Mr Justice Morgan will be appointed to be Chief Justice of Northern Ireland, replacing Sir Brian Kerr who is becoming a Justice of the Supreme Court. He is the judge in the “Omagh bombing” civil case and is due to give judgment next Monday, 8 June 2009.

After just 5 years on the bench, Declan Morgan is will be the next Chief Justice of Northern Ireland.  His short "official biography" is as follows
"Sir Declan Morgan was educated at Peterhouse, Cambridge. He was called to the Bar in 1976 and took Silk in 1993. He was Senior Crown Counsel for Northern Ireland from 2002 until his appointment as a High Court Judge in May 2004. He was appointed Chairman of the Law Reform Advisory Committee for Northern Ireland in 2004".  He is married with three children

The BBC has suggested that his appointment is imminent news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/8084045.stm – although the Office of the Chief Justice of Northern Ireland has refused to confirm or deny the story.

The Irish Times adds a little more biographical information (and a statement from the SDLP) www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2009/0606/1224248171028.html

He was appointed to the Family Division in January 2007 and in September 2008 became one of two judges with responsibility for judicial review.

He was appointed chairman of the Law Reform Advisory Committee for Northern Ireland in 2004.

In April 2007 he was appointed Chairman of the Northern Ireland Law Commission.

He is also judge-in-residence at the School of Law at Queen’s University".

The SDLP has welcomed the appointment

“The SDLP warmly congratulates the appointment of Declan Morgan to the post. He brings to the position both the character and calibre to be a successful and progressive Lord Chief Justice.

“The administration of justice faces a number of acute challenges which need to be addressed to keep public confidence. These have been highlighted by a number of cases where there has been concern over the sentencing policy which has attracted particular publicity.

“There is also a requirement for the judiciary generally to have a fuller relationship and contact with the wider community. The SDLP wishes Declan Morgan the best in his tenure.”