The award of King’s Counsel is for excellence in advocacy and is made to practising advocates – both barristers and solicitors – who have rights of audience in the higher courts of England and Wales and have demonstrated excellence in difficult cases in those higher courts, or in tribunals or arbitrations.
The framework within which the King’s Counsel competition runs is set by the Bar Council and the Law Society.
The King’s Counsel Selection Panel is responsible for recommendations to the Lord Chancellor on appointment of King’s Counsel. The Panel currently comprises two judicial members; two barristers; two solicitors and five lay members, including the Chair of the Panel, and is supported by a secretariat.
Further information on the process, the Panel and its work can be found at: www.kcappointments.org
We hope you have found this page useful, but please contact the KCA Secretariat if you need any further assistance. We are always happy to help.
Where to start and where to find help? Monisha Shah, Chair of the King’s Counsel Selection Panel, provides an overview of the silk selection process, debunking some myths along the way
The appointments of 96 new King’s Counsel (also known as silk) are announced today
In the fourth part of this series, Monisha Shah and Matthew Chapman KC address Competency B: ‘Written and Oral Advocacy’ and the ways in which applicants and assessors can evidence excellence
In the third part of the KC Selection Panel series, Monisha Shah and Dame Anne Rafferty discuss Competency A: ‘Understanding and Using the Law’ and the ways in which applicants – and assessors – can evidence excellence
In the second of the King’s Counsel Selection Panel series examining each of the competencies, Monisha Shah addresses Competency C: ‘Working with Others’ and the breadth of ways in which to evidence excellence
In the first of a new King’s Counsel Selection Panel series, Monisha Shah looks at Competency D: Diversity Action & Understanding – and the many inspiring ways to demonstrate it
Once you submit your silk application, what happens next? Sir Paul Morgan explains each stage of the process and reflects on his experience as a member of the KC Selection Panel
Let’s hear it for the assessors, says Dame Anne Rafferty of the KC Selection Panel. And to make silk assessors’ lives a little easier when applicants come calling in May, Dame Anne fields some commonly asked questions
Inspiring advocates to see that the accolade of KC is for ‘people like me’, KCA shares a selection of profiles of successful silks
Monisha Shah, Chair of the King’s Counsel Selection Panel, gives an insight into the silk selection process and outlines a new condensed timetable for 2024
The King's Counsel Selection Panel wants you to be confident that you are well prepared and can demonstrate your skills and experience to the best of your ability at the interview. This guide, written by King's Counsel Appointments, is to help you understand how a competency-based interview is conducted and how to prepare yourself for the interview
Meet these recently appointed KCs who represent the increasingly diverse backgrounds and experiences of those taking silk
Just being brilliant at the law is not enough, though it is a requirement: an insider guide to the interview part of the KC application process. By Sara Nathan OBE
Peter Purvis talks to six successful candidates from the 2021/22 competition to find out why they applied, their experience of the selection process and what advice they would share with others
Sir Alex Allan and Monisha Shah, the outgoing and incoming Chairs of the QC Selection Panel, offer an insight into the appointment process and, in particular, its approach to diversity issues
Peter Purvis interviews six of the silks successful in the 2020 competition to illustrate their varied backgrounds and experience
These profiles of newly appointed KCs highlight the growing breadth of backgrounds and professional journeys reflected in this year’s silk appointments
Six silks share application insights to inspire those eyeing up a future competition. Interviews by Peter Purvis
The award of King’s Counsel is for excellence in advocacy and is made to practising advocates – both barristers and solicitors – who have rights of audience in the higher courts of England and Wales and have demonstrated excellence in difficult cases in those higher courts, or in tribunals or arbitrations.
The framework within which the King’s Counsel competition runs is set by the Bar Council and the Law Society.
The King’s Counsel Selection Panel is responsible for recommendations to the Lord Chancellor on appointment of King’s Counsel. The Panel currently comprises two judicial members; two barristers; two solicitors and five lay members, including the Chair of the Panel, and is supported by a secretariat.
Further information on the process, the Panel and its work can be found at: www.kcappointments.org
We hope you have found this page useful, but please contact the KCA Secretariat if you need any further assistance. We are always happy to help.
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Sarah Margee, a criminal barrister who took a break from the law to raise her children, is delighted that the CPS Go Prosecute for Senior Crown Prosecutors initiative has given her the opportunity to return to practice
Express Chambers appoints chief clerk as expansion gathers pace
Express Solicitors has unveiled a new brand identity for its established advocacy team, which now operates under the name Express Chambers
42BR Barristers to be joined by leading family law set, 4 Brick Court, this summer
Get ready to lead in a rapidly evolving digital landscape
Valerie Sterling, Head of the Family Team at New Park Court Chambers, offers reflections from a distinguished 40-year career in law
