TWO new full-time High Court judges have been appointed in Northern Ireland.
David Scoffield QC and His Honour Judge David McFarland were sworn into office at a ceremony in Belfast today.
Lord Chief Justice Sir Declan Morgan oversaw his new colleagues taking the judicial oath.
Despite Covid-19 restrictions, Sir Declan stressed the importance of the new appointments taking place openly.
He told the limited number of friends and family able to attend the Royal Courts of Justice, and others who joined remotely: "These occasions ought to be in public, it's a reflection of the public role of the judiciary in all aspects of this community."
Sir Declan highlighted the strong professional reputations of both new High Court judges.
Called to the Bar of Northern Ireland in 1999, Mr Justice Scoffield went on to take silk in 2011 at the age of 34.
He is leaving behind a successful career as a barrister specialising in public, administrative and constitutional law, with his practice involving regular appearances in cases at the United Kingdom Supreme Court.
He has held a number of high-profile and significant roles, including: Senior Counsel to the Renewable Heat Inquiry; and as the Independent Assessor of Compensation for Miscarriages of Justice appointed by the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland.
He becomes a full-time High Court Judge having already served in the role on a temporary basis since January this year.
Mr Justice McFarland was admitted as a solicitor in 1979, going on to become a County Court Judge in 1998.
In 2012 he was appointed as the Recorder of Belfast, a role which made him Second Citizen of the city behind the Lord Mayor.
"He has a wealth of experience in relation to the management of court business," Sir Declan said.
"His case management skills are the envy of all of us on the High Court Bench, so I'm in no doubt he will be an invaluable and honourable addition."