*/
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.
The Chair of the Bar reports back
Clement Cowley, Partner at The Penny Group, explains how global events can influence the performance of pensions and ISAs, and why taking a long-term approach to investing is often the most effective strategy
Mário Barroso, Head of R&D and Method Development at AlphaBiolabs, discusses what family law professionals need to know about hallucinogens, from the main hallucinogenic drugs encountered in family proceedings, to their effects and the testing options available
Harmony Christian Ministries is the latest charity to benefit from a £500 donation from AlphaBiolabs via the company’s Giving Back initiative
By David Green
Mário Barroso, Head of R&D and Method Development at AlphaBiolabs, examines the forensic science underpinning hair drug testing, its evidential scope and limitations, and why it remains the gold standard for evidencing patterns of drug use in family proceedings
Developing a tech start-up demands a different definition of excellence to the Bar, says Saara Idelbi. The co-creator of Advocatr on entrepreneurship, AI advocacy training, and matching the thrill of a killer cross-examination
At the start of her term, Chair of the Bar 2026 Kirsty Brimelow KC set out a series of priorities for the year ahead. One of those priorities was children in the justice system
As the world becomes more digital, Barbara Vinagre Mota examines international research into the mental health consequences of judges’ exposure to graphic and immersive evidence, highlighting the importance of support systems
Reviewed by Daniel Barnett
James McNeill Whistler at Tate Britain until 27 September Rothko in Florence at Palazzo Strozzi until 23 August Reviewed by Stephen Cragg KC
