The President of the Law Society of Northern Ireland has said that local solicitors must learn to adapt to an ever-changing legal landscape of artificial intelligence and rapidly developing legal technologies. 

The president, Mark Borland, was speaking at the Law Society of Northern Ireland’s 2026 Admission Ceremony, which took place at Assembly Buildings in Belfast on Friday 20 February 2026.

The ceremony is widely regarded as an important and popular event in the legal calendar, marking the formal admission of solicitors to the Roll in Northern Ireland.

This year’s ceremony was marked by several key milestones, including the admission of the first recipients of the Society’s Centenary Bursary, which was established in 2023 to support those from less advantaged backgrounds into the profession. 

This year also saw an increase in those attending: 140 newly-qualified solicitors were accompanied by 500 guests, including Masters, friends, family and colleagues.

The ceremony additionally welcomed 15 solicitors admitted to the Roll in Northern Ireland under reciprocal arrangements between England and Wales and the Republic of Ireland.  

As part of this year’s ceremony, the Registrar of Solicitors, David A. Lavery CB, presented the newly-admitted solicitors to the Lady Chief Justice for Northern Ireland, Dame Siobhan Keegan, and the Society’s president, Mark Borland.

During his keynote address to attendees, the president took the opportunity to welcome the next generation of solicitors, and to remind them of their important role in supporting clients and the local community throughout Northern Ireland.  

He said: “I would also encourage you to look up occasionally and be mindful of the wider political, economic and legislative landscape that has a profound impact on our profession and our society as a whole. As solicitors we must ensure that the most vulnerable in our community – those who could not otherwise afford legal representation – are protected."

During her address, the Lady Chief Justice reflected on the important role that newly-admitted solicitors have within the legal profession in Northern Ireland.

Several prizes were presented during the ceremony, including The Solicitors Accounts Regulations Prize, which was awarded to Mark McCullough, who attained first place in the Solicitors Accounts Regulations exam. 

Additionally, Courtney Vance was awarded the Edward Bergin Prize, for attaining first place in the Professional Conduct Exam. 

The ceremony concluded with group photographs of all newly-admitted solicitors with the Lady Chief Justice and the Society’s President. Take a look at the gallery below.