*/
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.
Making a move from the Bar to a career in governance: Maria Brookes outlines three good reasons to switch and how to do it
Inés Rivera explains how speech recognition can help barristers create accurate documentation faster
What should barristers be doing on the personal finance front ahead of the end of the tax year on 5 April? Julian Morgan of Fleet Street Wealth answers your questions
Are you ready to embark on this arduous but potentially rewarding journey? Julie Gottlieb of Sherwood PSF Consulting provides a self-examination checklist, hints and tips to help you prepare for a future application
Unlocking your aged debt to augment cash flow in one easy step… By Philip N Bristow of Vector Professions Finance
The journey from a small village in Nepal to international law professor and UN Special Rapporteur for Human Rights: Admas Habteslasie talks to Surya Subedi QC (Hon)
The Westminster Commission on Miscarriages of Justice, set up to revisit the work of the CCRC after 25 years of operation, identified serious issues that risk miscarriages of justice remaining unidentified or unremedied. By Edward Garnier QC Michelle Nelson QC
Unsparing in his criticism, the former Attorney General reflects on recent events in government and his own experience of being chief legal adviser. Interview by Anthony Inglese CB
Making a move from the Bar to a career in governance: Maria Brookes outlines three good reasons to switch and how to do it
Sports coaches will be caught by a change in the law that addresses the disparity in treatment for 16- to 17-year-olds, writes Cameron Brown QC
.tmb-carlisting.jpg?sfvrsn=1dbaf4a7_1){kind=avatar}