*/
Fewer women and ethnic minorities QCs were appointed as the number of applications and awards made for the badge of excellence overall fell this year.
From the 240 applications, 108 new Silks have been appointed, down from 119 last year.
Overall, the number of applications for for Silk fell from 272 last year – a drop of almost 12%.
Among the successful applicants were 30 women from the 55 who applied, and 13 new Silks from an ethnic minority background from the 30 who applied.
Last year, 32 out of the 50 female applicants were successful, together with 18 out of the 33 applicants who declared that they were from an ethnic minority background – the highest number ever to be appointed.
Nineteen applicants aged over 50 were appointed, compared to 21 last year. The youngest successful applicant is 37 years old and the oldest is 60.
Four solicitor advocates of the five who applied were appointed. Five solicitor advocates were appointed last year.
Congratulating those appointed, Sir Alex Allan, Chair of the Selection Panel, said: ‘We remain concerned that the number of female applicants remains comparatively low, but I am pleased that of those women who did apply, well over 50% were successful.’
He added: ‘I was also pleased to note that the number of BAME applicants appointed was in proportion to their representation amongst applicants, and amongst the relevant cohort of the profession.’
The new QCs will formally become Silks when they make their declaration before the Lord Chancellor on 11 March.
The full Silk List will be published in Counsel’s QC issue in March.
Fewer women and ethnic minorities QCs were appointed as the number of applications and awards made for the badge of excellence overall fell this year.
From the 240 applications, 108 new Silks have been appointed, down from 119 last year.
Overall, the number of applications for for Silk fell from 272 last year – a drop of almost 12%.
Among the successful applicants were 30 women from the 55 who applied, and 13 new Silks from an ethnic minority background from the 30 who applied.
Last year, 32 out of the 50 female applicants were successful, together with 18 out of the 33 applicants who declared that they were from an ethnic minority background – the highest number ever to be appointed.
Nineteen applicants aged over 50 were appointed, compared to 21 last year. The youngest successful applicant is 37 years old and the oldest is 60.
Four solicitor advocates of the five who applied were appointed. Five solicitor advocates were appointed last year.
Congratulating those appointed, Sir Alex Allan, Chair of the Selection Panel, said: ‘We remain concerned that the number of female applicants remains comparatively low, but I am pleased that of those women who did apply, well over 50% were successful.’
He added: ‘I was also pleased to note that the number of BAME applicants appointed was in proportion to their representation amongst applicants, and amongst the relevant cohort of the profession.’
The new QCs will formally become Silks when they make their declaration before the Lord Chancellor on 11 March.
The full Silk List will be published in Counsel’s QC issue in March.
Chair of the Bar sets out a busy calendar for the rest of the year
Why Virtual Assistants Can Meet the Legal Profession’s Exacting Standards
By Louise Crush of Westgate Wealth Management
Examined by Marie Law, Director of Toxicology at AlphaBiolabs
Time is precious for barristers. Every moment spent chasing paperwork, organising diaries, or managing admin is time taken away from what matters most: preparation, advocacy and your clients. That’s where Eden Assistants step in
AlphaBiolabs has announced its latest Giving Back donation to RAY Ceredigion, a grassroots West Wales charity that provides play, learning and community opportunities for families across Ceredigion County
Despite increased awareness, why are AI hallucinations continuing to infiltrate court cases at an alarming rate? Matthew Lee investigates
The proscribing of Palestine Action under the Terrorism Act is an assault on the English language and on civil liberties, argues Paul Harris SC, founder of the Bar Human Rights Committee
Come in with your eyes open, but don’t let fear cloud the prospect. A view from practice by John Dove
Anon Academic explains why he’s leaving the world of English literature for the Bar – after all, the two are not as far apart as they may first seem...
Review by Stephen Cragg KC
