Reappointment of Chief Inspector of Criminal Justice announced

Date published: 29 November 2024

Justice Minister Naomi Long has today announced the reappointment of Jacqui Durkin as Chief Inspector of Criminal Justice in Northern Ireland.

Jacqui Durkin Chief Inspector of Criminal Justice in Northern Ireland
Jacqui Durkin Chief Inspector of Criminal Justice in Northern Ireland

The Chief Inspector is responsible for developing and overseeing an independent, impartial inspection programme and to make recommendations aimed at improving performance across the justice sector.

The Minister said: “The Chief Inspector of Criminal Justice in Northern Ireland plays a crucial role in fostering improvements throughout the justice sector. 

“The inspection programme overseen by the Chief Inspector enables us to develop a more effective and efficient criminal justice system for the people of Northern Ireland.

“I would like to congratulate Jacqui on her reappointment and wish her all the best for her upcoming term as Chief Inspector.”

The appointment was made following an open competition for a term of three years. 

Notes to editors: 

  1. Criminal Justice Inspection is an Executive non-departmental public body. It was established in 2003.  It is not governed by a Board but headed by the Chief Inspector as a Corporation Sole. Its key role is to ensure the inspection of all aspects of the criminal justice system.
  2. The Chief Inspector can serve a maximum of two terms of appointment.  There is no automatic reappointment to the role. Should a Chief Inspector wish to serve a second term, they are required to reapply for the role.
  3. Remuneration for the role is fixed for the term of appointment at £126,514 per annum.
  4. This is a regulated appointment and it was run in accordance with the Commissioner for Public Appointments Northern Ireland’s Code of Practice.
  5. Appointment of the Chief Inspector of Criminal Justice is made on merit and political activity plays no part in the selection process. However, the Commissioner for Public Appointments for Northern Ireland requires the political activity of appointees to be published. Details of the declaration by the appointee in relation to political activity are included below.
  6. Pen Picture / Political Activity - Jacqui Durkin was appointed as the Chief Inspector of Criminal Justice in Northern Ireland in November 2019. In 2022, the Minister of Justice extended her first term of appointment for two years. Prior to her public appointment, she was a senior civil servant in the Department of Education in policy director roles. Jacqui has over 30 years’ experience in the Northern Ireland justice system; she held a number of senior leadership roles in operations and corporate services in the former Northern Ireland Court Service, now the Northern Ireland Courts and Tribunals Service, including as Chief Executive and Accounting Officer.
    Jacqui is a member of the Board of Governors for Victoria College and Knockbreda Nursery School, Belfast. She is also a volunteer for Home-Start.
    Political Activity – none.
  7. For media enquiries contact the Department of Justice Press Office at Email
  8. Follow us on X (formerly Twitter) @Justice_NI
  9. The Executive Information Service operates an out of hours service for media enquiries only between 1800hrs and 0800hrs Monday to Friday and at weekends and public holidays. The duty press officer can be contacted out of hours on 028 9037 8110.

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