The barrister from Guyana will serve as the most senior legal figure in the sport, and will cover both the elite and grassroots game.

He will be responsible for managing IRL's revisions of its misconduct rules, both on and off the field, and will lead relevant cases.

Khan will also appoint a team of qualified co-panelists to assist him.

"I am delighted to be appointed as the first head of judiciary and look forward to working closely with the IRL governing body to further strengthen the good governance of the sport of rugby league football," said Khan. 

"This appointment will contribute to ensuring that the IRL keeps pace with best practice in the regulatory field for the benefit of all concerned."

Khan is currently the chairman of the Metropolitan Police misconduct panels in London.

He is a former director of legal affairs at the Commonwealth Secretariat and has worked for the British Foreign Office and the United Nations.

Last month, his four-year term as the seventh secretary general of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association came to an end.

"We were extremely pleased with the quality of the applicants," said IRL global operations manager Danny Kazandjian.  

"The shortlisted group in particular was of an exceptional standard. 

"Karim, whose career achievements and depth of experience speak for themselves, brings a valuable international dimension to the role, particularly in the Commonwealth, where rugby league is well positioned. 

"He also brings perspectives from outside the sport, specialisation in international legal affairs as well as quasi-judicial experience in dealing with highly complex matters relating to the investigation and enforcement of professional standards."