Law Weblog

QC selection, proposals announced

Proposals for changing the appointments system for Queen’s Counsel (“silks”) have been agreed by the Law Society and the Bar Council.
“Secret soundings” will no longer be used, instead selection will be on evidence based merit. The scheme will provide information about the area of advocacy in which an individual QC excel, rather than the existing broad brush approach, this will require applicants to produce “hard evidence” of their superior status to be selected as a QC.

An independently-appointed selection board of nine members, of whom four, including the chairman, will be “distinguished non-lawyers” will assess applications from barristers and solicitors. The panel will take references from people who have dealt with the applicant including judges, other lawyers and clients.