Chambers and firms have been celebrating after the appointment of 120 new Queen’s Counsel this week.
Two out of five solicitor-advocates—David Price of David Price Solicitors and Tim Taylor of SJ Berwin—and one out of two employed advocates who applied were successful. In the last round, only one out of 10 solicitor advocate applicants was appointed.
In total, 48% of applicants succeeded.
Professor Dame Joan Higgins, chairman of the QC Selection Panel, said: “Once again, the quality of applicants was very high and the Panel has been impressed with the wide range of backgrounds and practices represented among the new Queen’s Counsel.
“We noted, in particular, the success of some two-thirds of all female applicants who are taking silk this year.”
In the last round, 43% of women applicants were subsequently appointed.
Of those who declared their ethnic origin, 12 new silks are non-white. Two appointees declared a disability. Four applicants are more than 55 years old.
Six honorary silks were appointed: Sir Geoffrey Bindman, senior consultant at Bindmans LLP; former Clifford Chance senior partner Stuart Popham; Peters & Peters consultant Monty Raphael; First Parliamentary Counsel Sir Stephen Laws; Master Roger Venne, who is master of the Crown Office; and Edinburgh University Professor, Anthony Bradley.
