LEADING-born barrister has been appointed a High Court judge in Northern Ireland.
Gerry McAlinden QC, who specialises in the field of clinical negligence and public inquiry work, will take up his new role after a swearing-in ceremony on June 15.
This will be carried out in open court by Lord Chief Justice Sir Declan Morgan.
Mr McAlinden was educated at St MacNissi's College near Carnlough and graduated in law from Queen's University Belfast in 1985.
He was called to the bar the following year and appointed Queen's Counsel in 2011.
In 2014, the father-of-three was elected chairman of the Bar Council, serving for two years.
He was also appointed to the Coroners’ Panel of Senior Counsel, representing coroners in inquests including Troubles legacy cases.
Mr McAlinden has also been president of the Mental Health Appeal Tribunal since 2015, a role which he gives up on his appointment to the High Court.
