Six senior barristers have been appointed as temporary High Court judges sitting in Northern Ireland.
David Scoffield QC, Stephen Shaw QC, Gerald Simpson QC, Michael Humphreys QC, Karen Quinlivan QC and Danny Friedman QC were sworn into office at the Royal Courts of Justice in Belfast.
The new appointments will cover vacancies and ease current pressures on the judiciary.
Lord Chief Justice Sir Declan Morgan presided over the ceremony and congratulated his new colleagues on being called to the bench.
He said: "It is an opportunity to emphasise service in judicial office is for the benefit of the community as a whole."
Sir Declan also stressed the six barristers' "deserved strong reputations".
He added: "I look forward go the contribution each makes... to a fair justice system in which the whole community can have confidence."
Each of the new appointments will continue to work as barristers but they are expected to join a pool of judges who can be called on to ensure no delays in access to justice.
They will not sit in any cases where a potential conflict of interests could emerge.
Mr Scoffield specialises in public, administrative and constitutional law.
He has been involved in a number of high profile cases, including acting as senior counsel to the Renewable Heat Incentive Inquiry.
Mr Shaw's practice lies in civil law with particular interests in commercial, chancery and public law.
Mr Humphreys has specialised in commercial law, and dealt with cases involving construction litigation, public procurement, professional negligence, defamation and contractual claims.
London-based Mr Friedman has built a practice focusing on crime, human rights and public law, as well as extensive work in inquests and public inquiries.
Ms Quinlivan is currently the chair of the Bar's Equality and Diversity Committee and was involved in organising the Bar Council's Inaugural International Women's Day Lecture.
Mr Simpson's reputation as a leading barrister has been based on both his advocacy skills and the advice provided to clients usually in cases of significant value or high complexity.