The highest number of lawyers from ethnic minority backgrounds were among the 119 newly appointed Queen’s Counsel.

Of the 33 who applied, 18 were appointed – two more than the 16 of the 37 who applied in the previous year.

The success rate for women also improved with 32 appointed from 50 who applied, compared to 31 successful applicants out of 56 last year.

Five solicitor advocates of the ten who applied, were appointed.

Seven honorary QC awards went to: academic and sale of goods expert Professor Michael Bridge; director of the Commercial Law Centre at Harris Manchester College, Oxford, Professor Louise Gullifer; barrister and former academic who served as a Law Commissioner, Dr Charles Harpum; Janet Legrand, former Senior Partner and interim global co-chair of law firm DLA Piper; international and family law academic, Professor Nigel Lowe; Nicola Padfield, Professor of Criminal and Penal Justice at the University of Cambridge; and Maurice Sunkin, Professor of Public Law and Socio Legal Studies at the University of Essex.

The new QCs will formally become Silks at the ceremony on 26 February.

Applications for the 2018 round are expected to open in February.