2020 Competition Opening – Press Release

PRESS RELEASE (for publication noon Tuesday 18 February)

2020 QUEEN’S COUNSEL COMPETITION LAUNCHED

 

The 2020 QC competition opens for applications today.  The competition will be open for applications until 1 April 2020. There are no significant changes to the application process this year.

QCs are appointed by Her Majesty The Queen on the advice of the Lord Chancellor, following recommendations by the independent Queen’s Counsel Selection Panel.

Sir Alex Allan continues as Chair of the Selection Panel.  Sir Alex was formerly a senior Civil Servant in a number of Government Departments, as well as being High Commissioner to Australia.  Sir Alex has been a member of the Selection Panel since 2013.

Phillip Sycamore, Andrew Walker QC and Rosemary Rollason have joined the Selection Panel for the 2020 competition.

 

Notes for Editors

 

  1. The members of the independent Queen’s Counsel Selection Panel for the 2020 competition are:
  • Sir Alex Allan (Chair)
  • Sir Christopher Clarke*
  • Dr Douglas Board
  • Wanda Goldwag
  • Rachel Langdale QC
  • Edward Nally
  • Rosemary Rollason
  • Dr Maggie Semple OBE
  • Monisha Shah
  • Phillip Sycamore*
  • Andrew Walker QC
  • *These members are sharing the role of judicial member of the Selection Panel

 

  1. The Selection Panel is supported by its own Secretariat, headed by Chief Executive Russell Wallman.

 

  1. The QC appointment scheme was developed by the Bar Council and the Law Society, with the support of the (then) Department for Constitutional Affairs, and approved by the then Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State (Lord Falconer) in November 2004. Applications were first invited in 2005 and the first round of appointments under the new arrangements was announced in 2006.  The selection process is financed entirely through applicants’ fees. A copy of the agreed Process and further information is available from the Queen’s Counsel Appointments website: www.qcappointments.org

 

  1. Each applicant will be considered against five competencies:
  • Understanding and using the law
  • Written and oral advocacy
  • Working with others
  • Diversity
  • Integrity

 

  1. In past years, around 40-45% of applicants have been successful, although there is no quota. All unsuccessful applicants receive written personal feedback on their application.  The Panel expects to make its recommendations to the Lord Chancellor in late October 2020.  It is hoped that results of the competition will be announced in December 2020.

 

  1. Applicants pay a fee of £1,800 plus VAT on application, and a further £3,000 plus VAT if appointed.

 

  1. Copies of the Selection Panel’s report on the previous competition are available on the QCA website. Further information can also be obtained from Russell Wallman, Chief Executive of QCA, on 0207 831 0020.