The First Minister and deputy First Minister have appointed two new lay members to the Northern Ireland Judicial Appointments Commission (NIJAC). Dr Geraldine O’Hare and Peter Osborne will serve four-year terms starting from 4 June 2026.

Lord Justice Treacy has also been reappointed as a judicial member of the commission, with his term now running until 30 November 2026. He originally joined NIJAC in May 2021.

NIJAC is the body responsible for selecting and appointing judges in Northern Ireland up to and including High Court level. It was established under the Justice (Northern Ireland) Act 2002 and is chaired by the Lady Chief Justice.

Dr O’Hare is a consultant forensic psychologist and a chartered scientist. She spent 30 years in the criminal justice system, serving as head of psychological services and director of rehabilitation with the Probation Board for Northern Ireland. Her experience includes chairing the British Psychological Society’s Northern Ireland branch and serving as president of the Pharmaceutical Society NI.

Peter Osborne has worked extensively on reconciliation and peace building in Northern Ireland. His voluntary roles include chairing the Centre for Cross Border Cooperation, Remembering Srebrenica NI, and the Integrated Education Fund. He previously chaired the Community Relations Council and served on the Parades Commission. He is currently a member of the Northern Ireland Policing Board.

Neither appointee has engaged in any political activity in the past five years. The appointments are made on merit, with political activity playing no part in the selection process.

Lay members of NIJAC receive a daily rate of £355.25 for their work. Judicial members, except for the lay magistrate commissioner, are not remunerated.