Glossary of terms

Head of the judiciary of Northern Ireland, President of the Court of Appeal, President of the Crown Court and Chair of NIJAC.

The current Lady Chief Justice is The Right Honourable Dame Siobhan Keegan.

The Lands Tribunal for Northern Ireland resolves a range of disputes about the value of land and buildings, and about their occupation, use or development.

Additional information can be found on the Lands Tribunal NI website.

The Law Society acts as the regulatory authority, governing the education, accounts, discipline and professional conduct of solicitors in order to maintain the independence, ethnical standards and professional competence and quality of services offered to the public.

Additional information can be found on the Law Society of Northern Ireland website.

A general term for someone qualified in law, such as a Solicitor or Barrister.

Family Proceedings Courts and Youth Courts in Northern Ireland normally consist of a bench of three members, one of whom will be a District Judge (Magistrates’ Courts) acting as Chairperson. The others will be lay magistrates (non-lawyer), including at least one woman.

Lay Magistrates are appointed by the Lord Chancellor and there are approximately 210 in Northern Ireland. They perform a valued and important public function – particularly as they may have to deal with emergency applications for the protection of children arising outside normal court hours.

Lay members have professional knowledge and skills outside the legal profession. Lay members occupy positions in NIJAC, the Magistrates' Courts and most Tribunals.

The Lord High Chancellor of Great Britain ("Lord Chancellor") is a Cabinet minister and currently a Member of the House of Commons.

Recent reforms including the creation of the Ministry of Justice and the election of a Lord Speaker for the House of Lords have significantly altered the role of Lord Chancellor. The Ministry of Justice is responsible for courts, prisons, probation and constitutional affairs.