Law Centre NI appoints Julie Wilkinson as Interim Chief Executive
Law Centre NI appoints Julie Wilkinson as Interim Chief Executive
Law Centre NI is delighted to announce the appointment of Julie Wilkinson as Interim Chief Executive.
Julie has worked with Law Centre NI for over ten years and is a longstanding member of the Senior Leadership Team, most recently serving as Head of Finance and Business Services. As an Association of Chartered Certified Accountants Associate with more than 20 years’ experience in the voluntary and community sector, Julie brings deep organisational knowledge, strong financial leadership, and a clear commitment to the promotion of social justice.
Julie’s appointment comes at a critical time for the communities, organisations and individuals Law Centre NI serves. Across Northern Ireland, people continue to face significant and growing challenges arising from poverty and social security reform, immigration and asylum processes, and insecure and unfair employment practices. Demand for independent legal advice and representation, policy advocacy and public legal education in these areas remains high – this makes strong and stable leadership critical.
Commenting on her appointment, Julie said:
“I am delighted to be appointed as Interim Chief Executive of Law Centre NI. Having been part of the organisation for the past ten years, I am acutely aware of the vital importance of the work we do and the increased need for our services. I have seen first-hand the dedication and expertise of our staff team in advancing access to social justice every day. I am honoured to lead the organisation during this period of transition and to strengthen and build on the strong foundations put in place by my predecessors.”
Law Centre NI and Julie look forward to working closely with key stakeholders and the people we serve to ensure Law Centre NI continues to deliver high‑quality advice, legal support and policy advocacy for those most affected by inequality and injustice.
Our Impact in 2024–25
Alongside this leadership transition, Law Centre NI has published its Impact Report for 2024–25, highlighting the difference our essential work has made for individuals, organisations and communities across Northern Ireland during a year of increasing demand on our services.
The report outlines our impact across our social security, migration justice, and employment rights teams, demonstrating how timely legal advice, strategic casework and policy engagement have helped use the law to change lives. It also reflects the dedication and expertise of our staff team in responding to increasingly complex legal landscapes while continuing to place dignity, fairness and access to justice at the centre of our work.
As Law Centre NI enters the next phase under Julie’s leadership, the Impact Report provides a clear picture of the organisation’s strength, commitment and necessity — and the foundations on which we will continue to build in the year ahead.