David Lavery

Mr Lavery comes to the Society with a strong record of service in the justice system, where he is currently Deputy Permanent Secretary and Director of Access to Justice in the Department of Justice.

He previously served as Chief Executive of the Northern Ireland Courts and Tribunals Service between 2001 and 2012. He also served as Principal Private Secretary to the First Minister from 1998-2001.

Holding an LLB from Queen’s University, Belfast and an LLM from Harvard Law School, he spent the earlier part of his career in private practice. He was a Knox Fellow at Harvard and served as an Associate at Harvard’s Centre for International Affairs. He is also an Eisenhower Fellow and is currently a Visiting Professor at Ulster University. He was made a Companion of the Order of the Bath in 2008.

Commenting on this appointment to the Law Society, President Suzanne Rice said: “I would like to welcome David to the Society. David has a lifetime of experience working within the justice system and a deep and special knowledge of the administration of justice in Northern Ireland.

“As such, he comes to the Society with a strong awareness of current issues impacting justice in this jurisdiction and we are delighted to announce his appointment as Chief Executive.

“He emerged as the successful candidate from an exceptionally strong pool of applicants and we are greatly looking forward to working with him. I know that his wide range of skills and experience will make a significant contribution to the leadership of the Society and the profession.”

Ahead of taking up the role, Mr Lavery said: “I am very much looking forward to taking up my new role in the Law Society where I intend to promote the core values and standing of the solicitor profession within Northern Ireland as well as internationally.”

He will take up post within the Society on 1st September 2019.