Appointment to the NI Judicial Appointments Commission (NIJAC)

The First Minister, Michelle O’Neill MLA, and the deputy First Minister, Emma Little Pengelly MLA, have appointed District Judge (Magistrates’ Courts) Anne Marshall to serve on the Northern Ireland Judicial Appointments Commission (NIJAC).

The appointment is for a 5-year term from 11 March 2024 to 10 March 2029.

Notes to editors: 

The Northern Ireland Judicial Appointments Commission (NIJAC) was established on 15 June 2005 under the Justice (Northern Ireland) Act 2002 as amended by the Justice (Northern Ireland) Act 2004.  On the devolution of policing and justice powers in April 2010 the remit of the Commission was further expanded and NIJAC is currently responsible for selecting and appointing, or recommending for appointment, applicants in respect of all listed judicial offices up to and including High Court Judge.

2. The Commission comprises a Chairman who is the Lady Chief Justice and 12 other members:-

• five Judicial Members (nominated by the Lady Chief Justice);
• two Legal Profession Members (a barrister nominated by the General Council of the Bar and a solicitor nominated by the Law Society); and
• five Lay Members (Recruited by an open competition regulated by the Commissioner for Public Appointments NI.)

3. The Executive Office holds sponsorship responsibility for the Commission and the 2002 Act provides for the First Minister and deputy First Minister to appoint Commissioners.

4. Ms Anne Marshall qualified as a solicitor in 1998, she practised for 11 years in a Belfast firm specialising in criminal and human rights law. Ms Marshall was responsible for all Youth Court cases and provided training to external organisations in relation to the law relating to children. In 2010 she worked as a Senior Solicitor in the Children’s Law Centre and was appointed as Chair of an Educational Tribunal.

5. Ms Marshall worked for the Public Prosecution Service (2012-2013) until appointed as a Deputy District Judge (Magistrates’ Court) on 1 August 2013. Over the next 9 years she sat as a Deputy Judge (criminal and family work) and developed a portfolio as follows:

 i. Legally Qualified President Review Tribunal (DOJ) 2019 to 2022;
 ii. Legally Qualified Chair Police Appeals Tribunals (Policing Board/DOJ) 2015 to 2022;
 iii. Presiding Member of Appeals Panel (Legal Services Agency/DOJ) 2015 to 2022;
 iv. Parades Commissioner (NIO) 2015 – 2022;
 v. Legal Adviser Regulatory Hearings (Nursing and Midwifery Council) 2016 – 2019;
 vi. Legally Qualified Chair Exceptional Circumstances Body (DOE) 2010 to 2022.

6. Ms Marshall was appointed as a District Judge (Magistrates’ Courts) on 7 June 2022.

7. Judicial members with the exception of the lay magistrate are not remunerated for their appointment.

8. All appointments are made on merit and political activity plays no part in the selection process.  District Judge Anne Marshall has not engaged in any political activity in the last five years.

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