New Silks Announced: Annual Round Excludes Solicitors
The Law Society expressed profound disappointment that no solicitors were appointed as King’s Counsel during this year’s silk round. The Ministry of Justice disclosed that King Charles III has approved the addition of 96 new silks. However, among the nine applicants from the solicitor profession, none achieved this prestigious status.
Understanding King’s Counsel Appointment
King’s Counsel (KC) status recognizes legal experts with exceptional advocacy skills. Solicitors have been eligible for this distinction since 1995, granting them higher rights of audience in court. Despite 231 applications over the years, only 66 solicitors have received the appointment.
Statement from The Law Society
The president of the Law Society, Mark Evans, emphasized the vital contributions solicitors make to the legal field. He stated that there should be no limits to their ambitions, including obtaining KC status. The society aims to enhance the number of successful applications from solicitors, particularly those from diverse backgrounds.
- Solicitors applying for KC status: 9
- Total KC appointments this year: 96
- Solicitors appointed historically: 66 out of 231 applicants
Honorary KC Appointments for Solicitors
In a positive development, three solicitors received honorary KC designations. They are recognized for their significant contributions to the legal community.
- Colin Passmore – Chair of the City of London Law Society
- Peter Kandler – Co-founder of the first UK law centre
- Dean Dunham – Specialist in consumer law
Recognition of Contributions
Julie Bishop, chief executive of the Law Centres Network, highlighted Kandler’s role in advancing the Law Centre movement. His efforts focus on making legal support accessible to all, not just the affluent.
The City of London Law Society praised Passmore for his scholarship on legal privilege and his dedication to promoting diversity and social mobility within the legal profession. Such initiatives aim to support not only current legal professionals but also future generations.
In light of these developments, the Law Society remains committed to improving the statistics related to solicitor appointments, ensuring a fair and merit-based application process for all eligible candidates.
