88 new QCs appointed

The annual Queens Counsel appointments have been made, with 88 of the 214 applicants awarded the prestigious title – a success rate of 41 per cent. The last three years have seen 48%, 47% and 42% of applicants successfully secure silk status, including 120 QCs appointed last year. Blackstone Chambers, 7 King's Bench Walk and Doughty Street Chambers did very well this year, each housing three barristers that were appointed silks. The number of female barristers appointed fell this year to 23, down from 27 in 2010-11. Six candidates who declared an ethnic origin other than white were successful, down on the 12 appointed last year. Brick Court Chambers co-head Jonathan Hirst QC said: "There are a number of high-skilled commercial juniors on the list who are very well deserving, but the reduced overall number of appointments is a positive thing I think as it retains the standard of the mark. "The large number of civil barristers awarded silk in comparison to criminal is a further indication of the pressure that the criminal bar is under at the present moment in light of the legal aid changes - candidates are having to think long and hard about applying for silk right now."

88 new QCs appointed legalweek.com Tue, Mar 6, 2012