QC Selection Biased

Solicitors claim the silk selection procedure is biased towards barristers and too costly and time consuming to complete. Since 2005, QCs have been appointed by a selection panel in an open competition. Earlier this month, a Law Society survey among 170 solicitors found the majority thought the current system favoured barristers, and had concerns about the cost and length of time required. Of 20 solicitors who considered applying in the last three years, only three had actually applied. The main reasons given were cost and a belief that they would be unlikely to succeed. It costs £2,500 to apply for Silk, and a further £3,500 on appointment. The Bar Council and Law Society are considering a review by Sir Duncan Nichol into the appointment system, which suggests what forms of excellence it should recognise as well as what criteria should be used to assess applicants.