Queen's Counsel

Question 1

After how long as a barrister or as a solicitor with an advocacy qualification is it possible to apply to become a Queen’s Counsel?

Answer 1

after at least 10 years

Question 2

What % of the Bar are Queens Counsel?

Answer 2

10%

Question 3

What is becoming a Queens Counsel called?

Answer 3

‘talking silk’

Question 4

What type of work do Queens Counsel take?

Answer 4

They usually take on more complicated and high-profile cases than junior barristers

Question 5

What are all barristers who are not Queens Counsel known as?

Answer 5

Junior barristers

Question 6

Often who does a Queens Counsel have to assist them with a case?

Answer 6

a junior barrister

Question 7

Until 2004 who appointed Queens Counsel?

Answer 7

the Lord Chancellor

Question 8

Why was the Lord Chancellors criteria for selecting QC/s criticised?

Answer 8

it was thought to be too secretive

Question 9

What % of QC’s were women?

Answer 9

less than 10%

Question 10

Why was the composition of the QC’s membership a negative for the judiciary?

Answer 10

as senior judges are usually chosen from the ranks of the Queens Counsel

Question 11

Who now makes the selection of who should become QC’s ?

Answer 11

an Independent selection panel

Question 12

What is the fee to apply to become a QC?

Answer 12

£2,500

Question 13

What must the applicants provide when applying to become a QC?

Answer 13

must provide references such as from clients

Question 14

Who are applicants interviewed by ?

Answer 14

members of the independent selection panel

Question 15

Who does the panel recommend who should be appointed to ?

Answer 15

the Lord Chancellor

Question 16

In what year was the first appointments of QC’s made under the new system?

Answer 16

2006

Question 17

In 2006 under the new system of appointments to become a QC, how many applied and how many were appointed?

Answer 17

applied-443

appointed-175

Question 18

In 2006 under the new system of appointments to become a QC where 175 were appointed out of 443, how many were women and how many were ethnic minorities?

Answer 18

women-33

ethnic minority-10

Question 19

In 2011/12 out of 88 QC’s appointed, how many were women ?

Answer 19

23

Question 20

In 2011/12 out of 88 QC’s appointed how many were from ethnic minorities?

Answer 20

6

Question 21

What is the average age of the most successful applicants?

Answer 21

40-55years old