queen's counsel
Noun: * Queen's Counsel: In the United Kingdom and some Commonwealth countries, a senior barrister or advocate appointed by the monarch (specifically when the monarch is a queen) as a legal advisor to the Crown. The title "Queen's Counsel" (QC) is an honorific mark of professional excellence and seniority, entitling the holder to wear a silk gown (hence the informal term "take silk"). A QC is not directly employed by the Crown but may be selected to represent the government in important cases.
The term is used as a formal title preceding a barrister's name or to denote their professional rank. * She was appointed Queen's Counsel in 2019 after a distinguished career at the bar. * The case will be led by Queen's Counsel Eleanor Vance. * As a Queen's Counsel, he specializes in commercial law.
- The equivalent title when the British monarch is a king is King's Counsel (KC). The title changes with the gender of the sovereign.
- The process of being appointed is often called "taking silk" because appointees are permitted to wear a silk gown in court.
- The collective term for all such appointed counsel is "the body of Queen's Counsel".
- King's Counsel (KC): The direct male equivalent title used when the monarch is a king.
- Silk: A common informal noun for a Queen's or King's Counsel (e.g., ).
- Barrister: A type of lawyer in some countries who has the right to argue in higher courts. A QC is a senior barrister.
- Advocate: The equivalent term for a barrister in some jurisdictions like Scotland; a Queen's Counsel can also be a senior advocate.
- Senior Counsel (SC): A similar rank used in other jurisdictions like Ireland and some Australian states.
- Silk (informal)
- The term specifically denotes an honorary rank and recognition of expertise, not a specific job function. A QC continues in private practice.
- It is a historical title tied to the monarchy. The appointment is made by the sovereign on the advice of the Lord Chancellor.
- While originally implying service to the Crown, modern QCs undertake a wide variety of cases, not just government work.
- Counsel to the Crown when the British monarch is a queen