The award of King’s Counsel is for excellence in advocacy and is made to practising advocates – both barristers and solicitors – who have rights of audience in the higher courts of England and Wales and have demonstrated excellence in difficult cases in those higher courts, or in tribunals or arbitrations.
The framework within which the King’s Counsel competition runs is set by the Bar Council and the Law Society.
The King’s Counsel Selection Panel is responsible for recommendations to the Lord Chancellor on appointment of King’s Counsel. The Panel currently comprises two judicial members; two barristers; two solicitors and five lay members, including the Chair of the Panel, and is supported by a secretariat.
Further information on the process, the Panel and its work can be found at: www.kcappointments.org
We hope you have found this page useful, but please contact the KCA Secretariat if you need any further assistance. We are always happy to help.
The appointments of 96 new King’s Counsel (also known as silk) are announced today
In the fourth part of this series, Monisha Shah and Matthew Chapman KC address Competency B: ‘Written and Oral Advocacy’ and the ways in which applicants and assessors can evidence excellence
In the third part of the KC Selection Panel series, Monisha Shah and Dame Anne Rafferty discuss Competency A: ‘Understanding and Using the Law’ and the ways in which applicants – and assessors – can evidence excellence
In the second of the King’s Counsel Selection Panel series examining each of the competencies, Monisha Shah addresses Competency C: ‘Working with Others’ and the breadth of ways in which to evidence excellence
In the first of a new King’s Counsel Selection Panel series, Monisha Shah looks at Competency D: Diversity Action & Understanding – and the many inspiring ways to demonstrate it
Once you submit your silk application, what happens next? Sir Paul Morgan explains each stage of the process and reflects on his experience as a member of the KC Selection Panel
Let’s hear it for the assessors, says Dame Anne Rafferty of the KC Selection Panel. And to make silk assessors’ lives a little easier when applicants come calling in May, Dame Anne fields some commonly asked questions
Monisha Shah, Chair of the King’s Counsel Selection Panel, gives an insight into the silk selection process and outlines a new condensed timetable for 2024
The King's Counsel Selection Panel wants you to be confident that you are well prepared and can demonstrate your skills and experience to the best of your ability at the interview. This guide, written by King's Counsel Appointments, is to help you understand how a competency-based interview is conducted and how to prepare yourself for the interview
Peter Purvis talks to five successful candidates from the 2021/22 competition to find out why they applied, their experience of the selection process and what advice they would share with others
Just being brilliant at the law is not enough, though it is a requirement: an insider guide to the interview part of the KC application process. By Sara Nathan OBE
Sir Alex Allan and Monisha Shah, the outgoing and incoming Chairs of the QC Selection Panel, offer an insight into the appointment process and, in particular, its approach to diversity issues
Peter Purvis profiles five silks successful in the 2019/20 competition
The award of King’s Counsel is for excellence in advocacy and is made to practising advocates – both barristers and solicitors – who have rights of audience in the higher courts of England and Wales and have demonstrated excellence in difficult cases in those higher courts, or in tribunals or arbitrations.
The framework within which the King’s Counsel competition runs is set by the Bar Council and the Law Society.
The King’s Counsel Selection Panel is responsible for recommendations to the Lord Chancellor on appointment of King’s Counsel. The Panel currently comprises two judicial members; two barristers; two solicitors and five lay members, including the Chair of the Panel, and is supported by a secretariat.
Further information on the process, the Panel and its work can be found at: www.kcappointments.org
We hope you have found this page useful, but please contact the KCA Secretariat if you need any further assistance. We are always happy to help.
Ever wondered what a pupillage is like at the CPS? This Q and A provides an insight into the training, experience and next steps
What meaningful steps can you take in 2026 to advance your legal career? asks Thomas Cowan of St Pauls Chambers
Q and A with criminal barrister Nick Murphy, who moved to New Park Court Chambers on the North Eastern Circuit in search of a better work-life balance
What’s it really like to work in the National Crime Agency’s in-house legal team? TM, a lawyer in the NCA’s Financial Disruptions Litigation team, shares a day in her life
By the Chartered Governance Institute UK Ireland
Q and A with Major Susie Brooke, Legal Officer in Army Legal Services
