Some 114 lawyers attained the prestigious grade of Queen’s Counsel last week, while ten were appointed Honorary QCs in the latest silk list―including the first Chartered Legal Executive QC, former CILEx president Millicent Grant (pictured).
Some 114 lawyers attained the prestigious grade of Queen’s Counsel this week, while ten were appointed Honorary QCs in the latest silk list―including the first
Chartered Legal Executive QC, former CILEx president Millicent Grant (pictured).
The new silks include 30 women, out of 52 who applied, and 22 black and ethnic minority (BAME) applicants out of 42 who applied, compared to 13 BAME QCs in last year’s round. Four solicitor advocates were successful, of nine who applied.
Sir Alex Allan, Chair of the Selection Panel, said: ‘I congratulate each one
of them.
‘The selection process is a rigorous and demanding one. We remain concerned
that the number of female applicants remains comparatively low, but I am
pleased that of those women who did apply, almost 60% were successful. I was
also pleased to note that a record number of 22 BAME applicants were
appointed.’
In total, 258 lawyers applied for silk, of which 181 reached the interview
stage. The next round is expected to start next month.
Honorary QCs are awarded to those who have made a major contribution to the
law outside the courts. CILEx board member Millicent Grant was the first person
from a BAME background to lead a legal professional body and has championed the
advancement of Legal Executive Lawyers in the legal profession and judiciary,
as well as diversity and social mobility throughout her career to date.
Grant said: ‘I am a big believer that there is more than one route into the
law and that CILEx, with its diverse membership, has an important role to play
in bringing people from a range of different backgrounds into the legal
profession.’
The new QCs will formally become silks at a ceremony on 16 March.
