Sir Brian Kerr is the new Lord Chief Justice in Northern Ireland

Sir Brian Kerr will replace Sir Robert Carswell in the top legal post.

Sir Robert is to become a Law Lord on Monday.

The move follows the retirement of Northern Ireland-born judge Lord Hutton as a Law Lord.

Lord Hutton, himself a former Lord Chief Justice in Northern Ireland, will step down shortly before he publishes his report into the death of weapons expert Dr David Kelly.

Sir Robert's duties will include sitting in the House of Lords and hearing final appeals on legal cases.

Lord Hutton, who is a crossbench peer, heard evidence into Dr Kelly's death during the summer.

A statement on the Hutton Inquiry website said his retirement would have no effect on his work in writing his report on the six-week inquiry.

Lord Hutton is expected to issue his report to Lord Falconer, the Lord Chancellor.

'Challenges'

On his appointment, Mr Justice Kerr said he was deeply honoured to be replacing Sir Robert in charge of Northern Ireland's courts.

He said he looked forward to meeting the challenges posed by his new role.

Lord Hutton is to step down in the new year

"The justice system is in a period of considerable change. As judges we recognise that we must play our part in the implementation of those changes," he said.

"For instance, we will be participating in the establishment of a new Judicial Appointments Commission and will be dealing with the many legislative initiatives that will have an impact on the work of the courts.

"I am confident that the judiciary will rise to the challenge that these changes present while continuing to manage the ongoing and significant workload undertaken in courts at every level."

Mr Justice Kerr has been a High Court judge since 1993.

He was educated at St Colman's College in Newry, County Down, and at Queen's University in Belfast.

He was called to the Bar in Northern Ireland in 1970 and in England four years later.

He took silk in Northern Ireland in 1983 and he was appointed a Senior Crown Counsel in 1988.