Omagh civil action presiding judge Sir Declan Morgan is one of Northern Ireland’s top judges. He has been tipped as being the next Lord Chief Justice when Sir Brian Kerr leaves next month.

He was called to the Bar in 1976 and took Silk in 1993. He was Senior Crown Counsel for Northern Ireland from 2002 until his appointment as a High Court Judge in May 2004. ]

In January 2007 he was appointed to the Family Division and in September 2008 became one of two judges with responsibility for judicial review. He also chaired the Law Reform Advisory Committee for Northern Ireland and in April 2007 was appointed Chairman of the Northern Ireland Law Commission.

The Omagh civil action has already made legal history marking the first time victims of terrorism have sued for damages against the alleged perpetrators. The world is eagerly anticipating Sir Declan’s verdict today.