The School is pleased to congratulate Professors Brice Dickson and Chris McCrudden on their election as Honorary Benchers of the Inn of Court of Northern Ireland.

Benchers are senior members of the Inn of Court of Northern Ireland and are drawn from the Bench and Bar. Benchers govern the finances of the Inn. They have the authority to admit students, call students to the Bar, and elect other benchers. Others become benchers as a matter of course when undertaking a judicial appointment, such as becoming a High Court judge. The Inn also elects honorary benchers as a sign of recognition of their contribution to law. Previous honorary benchers from the School of Law include Professor Norma Dawson.

Professor Christopher McCrudden said,
"I am honoured and delighted to have been elected as an Honorary Bencher of the Inn of Court of Northern Ireland. Queen's School of Law and the legal profession in Northern Ireland have always had a close, and warm relationship and these elections are a further indication that this continues to be the case. I hope there will be further ways of strengthening and deepening this relationship yet further in the near future."

Professor Brice Dickson added,
"I feel really honoured to be elected as an Honorary Bencher of the Inn of Court of Northern Ireland. I was called to the Bar in 1976 but then turned to teaching and researching the law rather than practising it. It is important that legal practitioners and academics engage with each other and I see this honour as a validation of that ideal."