Mrs Chamberlain, until recently the Crown Solicitor for Northern Ireland, has been made a Companion of the Order of the Bath (CB) in recognition of her contribution to government legal services in Northern Ireland over the course of her career.

Mr Rankin, a past president of the Law Society of Northern Ireland and a long-standing partner at Cleaver Fulton Rankin before his retirement in 2015, was made a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in recognition of his public and charitable services.

A prominent solicitor, he continues to serve as a member of the Law Society Council and previously represented the Society on the CCBE for 15 years and on the Judicial Appointments Commission for six years. He also sits as a part-time tax judge and tribunal chairman.

Rowan White, president of the Law Society, said: “On behalf of the Law Society of Northern Ireland, ​I would like to congratulate both Fiona and Alastair on their well-deserved awards.”