Woman can become NI's Lord Chief Justice - Hermon

Ulster Unionist Party MP Sylvia Hermon has said there is nothing to stop a woman from becoming Northern Ireland's first female Lord Chief Justice in the foreseeable future.

She was responding to a report published today which examined the under-representation of women in judicial posts and the lack of women working as senior barristers.

The report's publication comes after the announcement last week that the North's new Judicial Appointments Commission (JAC) has prioritised the increased representation of women within the judiciary.

The North Down MP said: "Given the anticipated changes, there should be nothing to stop the appointment of Northern Ireland's first female Lord Chief Justice in the foreseeable future."