Legal Personnel: Queen's Counsel

Question 1

How can someone become part of the QC’s?

Answer 1

After 10 yrs of being a solicitor or barrister

Question 2

What is being a QC know as?

Answer 2

‘Taking silk’

Question 3

How many barristers are QC’s?

Answer 3

About 10%

Question 4

What does being a QC mean?

Answer 4

They can take on more complicated high profile cases and have a higher fee

Question 5

What is a junior barrister?

Answer 5

Another barrister with the QC to assist with the case

Question 6

How were QC’s appointed until 2004?

Answer 6

By the Lord Chancellor

Question 7

Why did the Lord Chancellor stop appointing QC’s?

Answer 7

Process was criticised for being too secretive

Question 8

What happened in 2004?

Answer 8

The Lord Chancellor and the Bar Council and the Law Society agreed to a new system of appointment

Question 9

What was the new system of appointment?

Answer 9

Selection is now done by an independent selection panel

Question 10

What does the Independent selection panel include?

Answer 10

Interviews
Providing references
Panel sending theure recommendations to the Lord Chancellor