Current Competition
Progress of the 2013-14 Competition
Applications are now closed.
The award of Queen’s Counsel is for excellence in advocacy in the higher courts. It is made to experienced advocates, both barristers and solicitors, who have rights of audience in the higher courts of England and Wales and have demonstrated the competencies in the Competency Framework to a standard of excellence.
Advocacy includes both written and oral advocacy before the higher courts, arbitrations and tribunals and equivalent bodies. The advocacy may be in written or oral form but must relate to developing and advancing a client’s or employer’s case to secure the best outcome for the client in a dispute. That outcome may, for example, be secured through arbitration, court determination or a settlement agreement. Oral advocacy includes advocacy in a court or tribunal, mediation, arbitration or in negotiation. There is no specific requirement as to the amount of written advocacy or in-court, so long as the there is sufficient evidence for the Panel to reach a conclusion as to excellence in respect of each aspect of advocacy.
The Selection Panel comprises ten members, with a substantial lay (i.e. non-lawyer) membership. It is also chaired by a non-lawyer. The Selection Panel is independent of the legal professional bodies and Government. There are three new Panel members this year: Sir Alex Allan, Martin Mann QC and Quinton Quayle (see below).
It is expected that the new appointments will be announced in the early part of 2014.
FURTHER INFORMATION
If you require any further information please contact Bob Gillies (Operations Manager) or other members of the Secretariat staff on 020 7831 0020 or email