New Lord Chief Justice appointed
Sir Declan Morgan has been sworn in as the new Lord Chief Justice.
Friday, 03 July 2009
The new head of the judiciary declared himself ready to engage with political representatives whenever policing and justice powers are devolved.
Sir Declan Morgan also stressed his independence and vowed to oversee a judicial regime which would deliver results for the public.
He made the pledges following a ceremony at the Royal Courts of Justice in Belfast on Friday which was attended by his three immediate predecessors, Lord Kerr, Lord Carswell and Lord Hutton.
Sir Declan said he would work tirelessly to ensure the effective administration of justice for the people of Northern Ireland.
'Challenge'
The new Lord Chief Justice acknowledged there will be changes should responsibility for policing and justice be transferred from Westminster to Stormont.
He said: "I look forward to meeting that challenge when it comes.
"Clearly, and constitutionally, the judiciary must remain in a position to make decisions which are impartial and independent of political influence, but I will be ready to engage with publicly elected representatives about matters of mutual interest."
Sir Declan, who was educated at Peterhouse, Cambridge, takes up the position following a legal career which began when he was called to the Bar in 1976.
He took Silk in 1993 and served as senior Crown Counsel for Northern Ireland from 2002 until his appointment as a High Court judge two years later.
Sir Declan also paid tribute to the man he is taking over from, on his departure to the House of Lords.
"I wish him well as he takes up his new duties in the House of Lords. He has made a major contribution to the work of the judiciary in Northern Ireland and I have no doubt that he will make a significant impact in his new position," he said.
© Press Association