Christine Smith QC appointed to Criminal Cases Review Commission

Six new Commissioners have been appointed to the Criminal Cases Review Commission and The Bar of Northern Ireland is pleased to congratulate Christine Smith QC on her appointment.

CCRC Commissioners are appointed by the Queen on the recommendation of the Prime Minister in accordance with the Office for the Commissioner for Public Appointments’ Code of Practice.

Christine Smith QC: was called to the Bar of Northern Ireland in 1985. She worked in general practice before specialising in criminal law and has substantial experience defending and prosecuting in criminal cases including appeals. She became a QC in 2011.

From November 2012 to January 2017 she acted as Senior Counsel to the Inquiry into Historical Institutional Abuse which examined whether there had been systemic failings by institutions or the State in the residential care of children in Northern Ireland between 1922 and 1995.

She was also Senior Counsel for the Department of Finance in the Inquiry into the Renewable Heat Scheme in Northern Ireland and advises the Law Society of Northern Ireland in relation to the Society’s oversight of solicitors’ professional conduct. As a member of the General Council of the Northern Ireland Bar she served on a number of committees including the Professional Conduct Committee.