His Majesty the King has appointed Francis Rafferty as a District Judge (Magistrates’ Courts) in Northern Ireland. The judge was sworn into office before Dame Siobhan Keegan, the Lady Chief Justice of Northern Ireland, on Wednesday 19 April 2023.
Details of Appointee
Judge Francis Rafferty
Educated at Queen’s University Belfast and the Institute of Professional Legal Studies, Judge Rafferty was called to the Bar in March 1992.
For over 30 years Judge Rafferty has practised at all levels of Court in Northern Ireland, predominantly in the field of Criminal Defence at Crown Court, District Judge and Youth Court level, and has also prosecuted planning, licensing, and environmental cases for local District Councils.
Judge Rafferty has appeared in the County Court representing clients in Appeals, Civil Bills and Injunctions and has appeared in the Family Jurisdiction representing clients in proceedings at the High Court and County Court, and in Domestic Proceeding Courts.