17 June 2016
Tribute To The Deputy Recorder Of Belfast Her Honour Judge Philpott QC
The Deputy Recorder of Belfast and the Principal Family Judge Her Honour Judge Corinne Philpott QC (62) passed away in the early hours of this morning.
Born in March 1954, Judge Philpott was educated at Richmond Lodge School and Queen’s University, Belfast.
She was called to the Bar in December 1977 and during her years at the Bar she held the following offices:
1991 to 1992 Vice Chairman of the Executive Council of the Inn of Court of Northern Ireland and, in the same period, Chairman of the Professional Conduct Committee;
1996 to 1998 Inaugural Chairman of the Guardian Ad Litem Agency; and
1996 to 1998 Board Member of Northern Ireland Co-Ownership Association.
Judge Philpott took Silk in December 1993. She was a Deputy County Court Judge from 1993 to 1998, when, in April 1998, she was appointed a County Court Judge.
Judge Philpott was Recorder of Londonderry from March 2002 until January 2008. In 2012 she became Deputy Recorder of Belfast.
The Lord Chief Justice Sir Declan Morgan said today:
“Judge Philpott was a dedicated and passionate member of the Judiciary in Northern Ireland. She was a trailblazer. She was the first female County Court Judge in Northern Ireland, and the second female to take silk in this jurisdiction. She was compassionate to those who came before her and had an innate sense of justice and fairness. Her wit, hard work and dedication to the courts, justice and the most vulnerable people in society will leave a huge void. We will all miss her terribly.”
Judge Philpott will be very sadly missed by her judicial colleagues.
ENDS