Sir Bernard McCloskey Obituary: Queen’s University Belfast Remembers Distinguished Northern Ireland Judge

Sir Bernard McCloskey, a respected Northern Irish judge and valued friend of Queen’s University Belfast’s Catholic Chaplaincy, is being remembered following his death on November 11, 2026, at the age of 70.

His passing has prompted tributes from members of the legal profession and the university community, where his generosity, guidance, and willingness to share his knowledge made a lasting impression on students and colleagues.

Educated at Queen’s University Belfast, Sir Bernard went on to establish a distinguished career in law. He was called to the Bar in 1979 and became Queen’s Counsel in 1999. His judicial career included appointment to the High Court in 2008 and elevation to the Court of Appeal in 2019.

He also served as President of the United Kingdom’s Upper Tribunal, Immigration and Asylum Chamber, from 2013 to 2017. In addition, he held important roles within Northern Ireland’s legal institutions, including chairing the Northern Ireland Law Commission.

The Lady Chief Justice, Dame Siobhan Keegan, paid tribute to Sir Bernard, describing him as a distinguished jurist whose work made an important contribution to the law in Northern Ireland. She also acknowledged his public service, charitable involvement, support for young lawyers, and valued relationships with colleagues across the judiciary and legal profession.

Sir Bernard retired from the Bench earlier in 2026. His professional legacy reflects decades of service to the legal system and a commitment to supporting the next generation of legal professionals.

His death marks the loss of a prominent figure in Northern Ireland’s judiciary, whose influence extended beyond the courtroom to universities, charitable work, and the wider legal community.