End of the silk route

Glasses were raised across chambers as the latest silk list was revealed this week. Eighty-four candidates were successful—nearly half of all who applied.

They include 14 women, out of 26 female applicants. In the last round, 2011–12, 23 women succeeded out of 40 female candidates. On both occasions, women have been proportionately more successful than men.

Only two solicitor-advocates applied, of which one was successful. None were appointed in the last round and, since 2008, only eight solicitor-advocates have been appointed.

Four employed advocates applied, but not one was appointed. Last time, three employed advocates applied and one succeeded.

The baby of the new silks is a mere 36 years old, while the most senior is 61. Five of the new QCs were older than 50 when they applied, compared with only three in the last round.

Three of the new intake declared an ethnic origin other than white (as did 21 applicants). In the previous round, six non-white QCs were appointed.

One applicant declared a disability, but was not appointed. Last time, seven advocates with disabilities applied and four were appointed.

Helen Pitcher, chair of the QC panel, says: “The selection process is an exacting one.

“We collect confidential assessments from judges, fellow advocates and professional clients, all of whom will have seen the applicant at work. Applicants are also interviewed by two members of the panel. The whole panel then discusses the evidence on each applicant. 

“We have been impressed by the extremely high quality of the applicants. The panel has had the difficult task of identifying the truly excellent advocates. And I am confident that those appointed today truly deserve to be the Queen’s Counsel.

“Although unsuccessful applicants will naturally be disappointed, I must stress that this does not mean that they are not highly valued and effective practitioners. The standard for appointment is extremely high.”

Lord Carlile and Felicity Huston will both stand down from the selection panel at the end of this competition.