High Court Judge Sir Declan Morgan has been sworn in as Northern Ireland's new Lord Chief Justice this morning.
The former St Columb's College student, who also studied at Cambridge and Queen's University in Belfast, said it was an honour to follow in the footsteps of outgoing LCJ Sir Brian Kerr who held the post since 2004.
The Derry man, who is married w
ith three children, was called to the Bar in 1976, took Silk in 1993 and was appointed a High Court Judge in May 2004.
He pledged to "work tirelessly" to meet the challenges of his new role.
"Naturally I will be seeking to ensure the effective administration of justice in Northern Ireland for the people of Northern Ireland. I will work tirelessly to achieve that end.
"The structures under which that may be delivered will change should there be devolution of policing and justice. 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."
He also paid tribute to Lord Kerr, who has taken up a peerage 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 added.
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