Queen's Counsel facts for kids

Queen's Counsel (often called QC) are very experienced lawyers in many countries that are part of the Commonwealth. When a king is ruling, they are called King's Counsel (KC).

These special lawyers are chosen by the King or Queen through a special document. They are not a different kind of lawyer, but they have a higher rank because their special status comes from the Crown and is recognized by the courts.

What is a Queen's Counsel?

Queen's Counsel are senior lawyers who have shown great skill and experience in their work. They are often involved in very important and complex legal cases. Their role is to provide expert legal advice and represent clients in court.

Why are they called 'Silks'?

Queen's Counsel have a special privilege: they get to sit in a special area of the courtroom called "the Bar." They also wear unique silk gowns. Because of these special robes, they are often informally called Silks. The process of becoming a QC is even known as "taking silk."

How Does a Lawyer Become a QC?

To become a Queen's Counsel, a lawyer usually needs to have worked as a barrister (a lawyer who argues cases in court) or a Scottish advocate for at least 10 years. In recent times, solicitors (lawyers who deal with legal matters outside of court, like contracts) can also be appointed as Queen's Counsel. It's a big achievement that shows they are among the best in their field.

What is a 'Junior' Barrister?

When a Queen's Counsel works on a case, they almost always have another barrister helping them. This assistant is called a "junior" barrister. It's interesting because even if the "junior" has been a lawyer for longer than the "silk," they are still called "junior" in this partnership. Because of their high status and experience, QCs generally charge higher fees for their legal services than other barristers.

Images for kids

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  A 1903 drawing of King's Counsel Robert McCall wearing his court robes. He wears a short wig and special neckwear for court, but keeps the silk gown and coat for important events.

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  A drawing of Serjeant William Ballantine wearing his court clothes. Notice the tiny cap on top of his wig, which was a special part of the uniform for serjeants-at-law.

In Spanish: Consejero de la reina para niños