The news of Lord Kerr’s unexpected and untimely passing has been met with great sadness by the Commissioners and staff of the Northern Ireland Judicial Appointments Commission (NIJAC).
Lord Kerr was NIJAC’s first Chairman and under his leadership important steps were taken to ensure the transformation of appointments to judicial office in Northern Ireland. Lord Kerr was instrumental in raising the profile of judicial office as attainable to those beyond the traditional routes. He championed diversity in the judiciary overseeing the first part time appointments and an increase in women being appointed to Northern Ireland’s court and tribunals. His contribution to justice and society is beyond measure and it has been the privilege of those involved in NIJAC to have known him in some small way. Our thoughts are with his family, friends and former colleagues at this very sad time.