Tribute to the work of the legal profession in Northern Ireland was paid by the Lord Chancellor of Britain on a visit to Belfast yesterday.
Lord Irvine, speaking at a ceremony in the High Court, said: "I want to use this occasion publicly to acknowledge my gratitude for the work of all those in the legal system. I pay tribute to the judges, magistrates, solicitors, barristers and court staff for conspicuous dedication, resilience and commitment."
Lord Irvine was involved with the Lord Chief Justice, Sir Robert Carswell, in the swearing in of a new judge, Mr Richard McLaughlin QC, and the calling of 21 new barristers. It was the first time a new judge was sworn in in public.