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Barristers have been celebrating their new QC status, with nearly half of all applicants gaining the prestigious award.
Some 128 barristers and one solicitor-advocate were formally sworn in at a ceremony on Monday, 22 March at Westminster Hall. Of 275 applications accepted for consideration, 226 applicants were interviewed. 47 per cent of applications were successful, compared with 42 per cent in 2008-09 and 40 per cent in 2006-07.
The new Silks include 20 women, out of 46 applicants, and 17 ethnic minority applicants, out of 35 who applied. Six of the new Silks are aged 55 years or above, and 17 are 41 years old or younger. The youngest new Silk is 38 and the oldest is 62. Ingrid Simler QC, Chairman of the Equality and Diversity Committee, said: “These figures reveal an increasing diversity among those applying for and achieving the award of Silk. “The figures for ethnic minority barristers are particularly encouraging this year. The greater retention of women in the profession remains a priority for the Bar Council’s Equality and Diversity Committee.”
Three employed barristers applied, but none were appointed. In the previous round, both employed barrister applicants were appointed. Eversheds partner Marcus Trinick was the only successful solicitor-advocate applicant, out of ten who applied. Last year three out of four solicitor-advocates were awarded Silk. Five honorary Silks were appointed: solicitor and academic, Peter Freeman; barrister, Professor Norman Palmer; non-practising barrister, author and editor, Peter Richardson; legal academic, Professor Sarah Worthington; and Professor Graham Zellick, CBE, barrister and President of the Valuation Tribunal for England. For a full list of the appointments, see p 10 of this issue.
The new Silks include 20 women, out of 46 applicants, and 17 ethnic minority applicants, out of 35 who applied. Six of the new Silks are aged 55 years or above, and 17 are 41 years old or younger. The youngest new Silk is 38 and the oldest is 62. Ingrid Simler QC, Chairman of the Equality and Diversity Committee, said: “These figures reveal an increasing diversity among those applying for and achieving the award of Silk. “The figures for ethnic minority barristers are particularly encouraging this year. The greater retention of women in the profession remains a priority for the Bar Council’s Equality and Diversity Committee.”
Three employed barristers applied, but none were appointed. In the previous round, both employed barrister applicants were appointed. Eversheds partner Marcus Trinick was the only successful solicitor-advocate applicant, out of ten who applied. Last year three out of four solicitor-advocates were awarded Silk. Five honorary Silks were appointed: solicitor and academic, Peter Freeman; barrister, Professor Norman Palmer; non-practising barrister, author and editor, Peter Richardson; legal academic, Professor Sarah Worthington; and Professor Graham Zellick, CBE, barrister and President of the Valuation Tribunal for England. For a full list of the appointments, see p 10 of this issue.
Barristers have been celebrating their new QC status, with nearly half of all applicants gaining the prestigious award.
Some 128 barristers and one solicitor-advocate were formally sworn in at a ceremony on Monday, 22 March at Westminster Hall. Of 275 applications accepted for consideration, 226 applicants were interviewed. 47 per cent of applications were successful, compared with 42 per cent in 2008-09 and 40 per cent in 2006-07.
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