Queen's Counsel

Queen's Counsel (postnominal QC), during the reign of a male Sovereign known as King's Counsel (KC), are barristers or, in Scotland, advocates appointed by letters patent to be one of "Her Majesty's Counsel learned in the law". They do not constitute a separate order or degree of lawyers. They are, however, more than merely a professional rank, as their status is conferred by the Crown and recognised by the courts.

Today

Queen's Counsel are retained in several Commonwealth Realms where Queen Elizabeth II is head of State. Elsewhere the style is now Senior Counsel or State Counsel.

Related Topics:
Commonwealth Realm - Queen Elizabeth II - Senior Counsel

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In Commonwealth countries that have become republics, the office of Queen's Counsel has generally been retained, though with a new style becoming Senior Counsel in South Africa, Belize, Trinidad and Tobago and Guyana, Senior Advocate in India and Bangladesh, and President's Counsel in Sri Lanka.

Related Topics:
Belize - Trinidad and Tobago - Guyana - India - Bangladesh - Sri Lanka

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In Australia, the governments of New South Wales and Queensland have replaced the title with Senior Counsel and State Counsel, respectively. Similar changes are under consideration in New Zealand and elsewhere in Australia.

Related Topics:
Australia - New South Wales - Queensland - New Zealand

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The practice of appointed Queen's Counsel has also fallen into disuse in much of Canada where the two largest provinces, Ontario and Quebec, ceased making appointments in 1985 and 1976 respectively and the federal government ceased the practice in 1993. No substitute distinctions have been implemented in these jurisdictions as it is felt that the practice is a form of political patronage and is best discontinued entirely.

Related Topics:
Ontario - Quebec - 1985 - 1976 - 1993 - Patronage

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