Tribute to Lord Kerr

“The Bar Council of Northern Ireland is shocked and deeply saddened at the news today of the untimely passing of Lord Kerr. He will be remembered by many members of the Bar who were proud to have worked alongside and appeared before him during his most distinguished legal and judicial career.

He served in judicial office at a difficult time in Northern Ireland’s history, becoming a High Court Judge before later being appointed as Lord Chief Justice, and was always motivated by a deep sense of duty and lifelong commitment to the rule of law. It was only recently that I was paying tribute to Lord Kerr on his retirement from the Supreme Court where he made history as its longest serving judge and the first to come from Northern Ireland.

The legal world has lost a truly excellent role model and he leaves behind a significant legacy which stands as testament to his immense contribution to our justice system. Lord Kerr was always a highly regarded and much cherished friend of the Bar and we extend our deepest sympathies to his wife Gillian and family, including John, Patrick, Neasa and Una at the Bar, to whom we offer our unlimited support at this very difficult time.

The Bar Council will wish to appropriately mark Lord Kerr’s remarkable contribution to the law and his career at the Bar when covid-19 restrictions allow”.

Bernard Brady QC

Chair of the Bar Council

Pictured: Lord Kerr at the opening of the Resolution Centre in Belfast in 2018