king's counsel
The king's counsel presents legal advice to the monarch in a private chamber.
Noun 1. A senior barrister or advocate in some Commonwealth countries, appointed as an official advisor to the Crown: The title "King's Counsel" (abbreviated as KC) is an honorific bestowed upon experienced barristers (or advocates in Scotland) who are recognized for their skill and expertise. When the British monarch is a king, the title is "King's Counsel"; when the monarch is a queen, it is "Queen's Counsel" (QC). Holders of this title are traditionally considered to be part of the Crown's counsel, though they primarily act as independent practitioners in court.
- Noun:
- After twenty years at the bar, she was appointed King's Counsel.
- The case was led by a prominent King's Counsel.
- As a King's Counsel, he is entitled to wear a silk gown, hence the informal term "silk".
- "Take silk": This is an idiom meaning to be appointed as a King's Counsel or Queen's Counsel, referring to the silk gown they are entitled to wear.
- She took silk last year after an exceptional career in commercial law.
- Queen's Counsel (QC): The equivalent title when the British monarch is a queen.
- Silk: A common informal term for a King's Counsel or Queen's Counsel.
- Barrister (UK, etc.) / Advocate (Scotland): A lawyer qualified to represent clients in higher courts, from whose ranks KCs are appointed.
- Senior Counsel (a similar title used in other jurisdictions like Ireland)
- Silk (informal)
The role is primarily honorific and denotes professional standing rather than a specific job function. A King's Counsel continues to work as a self-employed barrister but is marked out for their high level of experience and skill. The title switches between "King's" and "Queen's" depending on the gender of the reigning monarch.
The king's counsel presents legal advice to the monarch in a private chamber.
- Counsel to the Crown when the British monarch is a king