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NI top judge to become law lord NI top judge to become law lord
(about 2 hours later)
Northern Ireland's top judge is to become a Law Lord.Northern Ireland's top judge is to become a Law Lord.
Lord Chief Justice Sir Brian Kerr has been appointed to sit in the UK's highest court of appeal, the House of Lords.Lord Chief Justice Sir Brian Kerr has been appointed to sit in the UK's highest court of appeal, the House of Lords.
He will take up the role at the end of June following the retirement of present incumbent Lord Carswell.He will take up the role at the end of June following the retirement of present incumbent Lord Carswell.
Sir Brian, 61, was one of two appointments announced by 10 Downing Street on Wednesday. A legal panel will now decide on his replacement. Sir Brian, 61, was one of two appointments announced by 10 Downing Street on Wednesday. A panel will now decide on his replacement.
A Courts Service spokesman said: "The next Lord Chief Justice for Northern Ireland will be appointed by the Queen on the recommendation of the prime minister," he said.A Courts Service spokesman said: "The next Lord Chief Justice for Northern Ireland will be appointed by the Queen on the recommendation of the prime minister," he said.
"To facilitate this, the Lord Chancellor, on behalf of the prime minister, has asked the current Lord Chief Justice, Sir Brian Kerr, to convene a panel to offer advice regarding the person to be appointed.""To facilitate this, the Lord Chancellor, on behalf of the prime minister, has asked the current Lord Chief Justice, Sir Brian Kerr, to convene a panel to offer advice regarding the person to be appointed."
Sir Brian was called to the Bar in Northern Ireland in 1970, to the Bar of England and Wales in 1974 and became a QC in 1983.Sir Brian was called to the Bar in Northern Ireland in 1970, to the Bar of England and Wales in 1974 and became a QC in 1983.
He was appointed a High Court Judge in Northern Ireland in 1993, the same year he was knighted, and in 2004 he was appointed Lord Chief Justice of Northern Ireland.He was appointed a High Court Judge in Northern Ireland in 1993, the same year he was knighted, and in 2004 he was appointed Lord Chief Justice of Northern Ireland.
Sir Brian will become Justice of the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom when it is launched in October.Sir Brian will become Justice of the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom when it is launched in October.
Sources within the Bar Library have already begun speculation on Sir Brian's successor.Sources within the Bar Library have already begun speculation on Sir Brian's successor.
Mr Justice Ronnie Weatherup is being spoken of as the favourite, with Judges Paul Girvan and John Gillen also thought to be in the running.Mr Justice Ronnie Weatherup is being spoken of as the favourite, with Judges Paul Girvan and John Gillen also thought to be in the running.