Sir Declan Morgan

Sir Declan was honoured at a special celebration event at the university alongside graduates from arts, humanities and social sciences.

Educated at Cambridge University and Queen’s, he was called to the Bar in Northern Ireland in 1976 and became a Queen’s Counsel in 1993. Sir Declan was senior Crown counsel for Northern Ireland between 2002 and 2004, when he was appointed to the High Court.

He is the former chair of the Law Reform Advisory Committee for Northern Ireland and chair of the Northern Ireland Law Commission. Sir Declan is also a former judge-in-residence at Queen’s.

Speaking ahead of the ceremony, Sir Declan said: “I am delighted to receive this Doctor of Laws for distinction in public service from Queen’s, an institution I have a long-standing affiliation with, as a student and judge-in-residence.

“My working life has focused very much on public service and I have welcomed the opportunity to make an impact on society.”