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More female and black and minority ethnic candidates were appointed Queen’s Counsel than ever before.
Queen’s Counsel Appointments (QCA)announced the appointment of 113 new Silks, from 254 who applied. Thirty-one women, 55% of the 56 applicants, were successful, up from the 25 out of 48 last year.
There was a rise in the percentage of those from a black and minority ethnic (BAME) background whose applications succeeded – 16 (43%) of 37 were awarded Silk, compared to nine out of 32 last year.
Eight of the nine applicants who said they were gay or bisexual, two of the four with a disability and six of 13 solicitors who applied, were appointed. The youngest new Silk was 37 and the oldest 65.
Congratulating the new appointees, the Lord Chancellor, Liz Truss, said: ‘I want us to tap into all the talents of our society and today’s appointments are a step in the right direction. The number of women and BAME candidates applying and being successful is moving in the right direction.’
She added: ‘There is more to be done, but my message is clear – when you widen the pool of talent from which lawyers and judges are drawn, you make the justice system stronger.’
Helen Pitcher OBE, Chairman of the QCA Selection Panel, said she would like to see more female applicants and that research to identify barriers which deter women from applying would be published later this year. (See also 'QC Q&A', Counsel, February 2017)
The new QCs will formally become Silks at the ceremony on 13 February.
More female and black and minority ethnic candidates were appointed Queen’s Counsel than ever before.
Queen’s Counsel Appointments (QCA)announced the appointment of 113 new Silks, from 254 who applied. Thirty-one women, 55% of the 56 applicants, were successful, up from the 25 out of 48 last year.
There was a rise in the percentage of those from a black and minority ethnic (BAME) background whose applications succeeded – 16 (43%) of 37 were awarded Silk, compared to nine out of 32 last year.
Eight of the nine applicants who said they were gay or bisexual, two of the four with a disability and six of 13 solicitors who applied, were appointed. The youngest new Silk was 37 and the oldest 65.
Congratulating the new appointees, the Lord Chancellor, Liz Truss, said: ‘I want us to tap into all the talents of our society and today’s appointments are a step in the right direction. The number of women and BAME candidates applying and being successful is moving in the right direction.’
She added: ‘There is more to be done, but my message is clear – when you widen the pool of talent from which lawyers and judges are drawn, you make the justice system stronger.’
Helen Pitcher OBE, Chairman of the QCA Selection Panel, said she would like to see more female applicants and that research to identify barriers which deter women from applying would be published later this year. (See also 'QC Q&A', Counsel, February 2017)
The new QCs will formally become Silks at the ceremony on 13 February.
Update from the Chair of the Bar
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
Unlocking your aged debt to fund your tax in one easy step. By Philip N Bristow
Clement Cowley, Partner at The Penny Group, discusses the upcoming changes to pensions and Inheritance Tax and the potential impact on your financial future
Save the Children UK is the latest charity to benefit from a £500 donation from AlphaBiolabs via the company’s Giving Back initiative
The Chief Legal Officer to the Metropolitan Police, barrister Brett Welch, tells Anthony Inglese CB about his mission and the work to turn the Met around
Barrister apprenticeships – shortly to provide the fourth pathway to the Bar – are an ideal opportunity to support local talent and ‘grow your own’, say Tim Coulson and Dr Jane Dennehy
Born from a grievance, their research project grew into a book and is now challenging the status quo. Emma Price and Emma-Louise Fenelon reveal the key findings – and the critical next steps
Grok around and find out – or not? Mariya Peykova investigates the nudification scandal, what the law has to say about sexually explicit deepfakes, and whether stronger regulation is needed
Oliver Lewis spotlights an overlooked yet rapidly evolving area of law – coercive and controlling behaviour within care contexts
