Leading barristers become King’s Counsel instead of Queen’s Counsel

Bar Council chairman Mark Fenhalls used the KC initials in a statement issued after the Queen’s death.
Leading barristers have become King’s Counsel (KC) rather than Queen’s Counsel (QC) following the Queen’s death, the Bar Council said (PA)
PA Wire
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Leading barristers have become King’s Counsel (KC) rather than Queen’s Counsel (QC) following the Queen’s death, the Bar Council said.

A spokeswoman for the council, which represents barristers, said the change was immediate.

Bar Council chairman Mark Fenhalls used the KC initials in a statement issued after the Queen’s death at the age of 96 on Thursday afternoon.

“The officers, members and staff of the General Council of the Bar of England and Wales join with colleagues across the legal professions in mourning the loss of our country’s most devoted public servant,” he said.

“Throughout a long, loyal and steadfast reign, Queen Elizabeth II embodied the symbolic role of the figure in whose name justice is carried out with great integrity.

“I have written to offer our deep and sincere condolences to His Majesty the King.”

The courts of England and Wales are expected to sit as usual on Friday as the country enters a period of mourning, with judges oversees two minutes’ silence at the start of proceedings.

But in Scotland the decision has been taken to adjourn Friday’s courts and tribunal sittings “as a mark of our respect”.

“As the nation enters a period of mourning, the judiciary will support the royal family and facilitate the arrangements being put in place to enable members of the public to pay their respects”, said Lord President, Lord Carloway.

The death of The Queen and the transfer of power to King Charles is having effects in the courts of countries around the world which are part of the Commonwealth.

The Chief Justice of New Zealand, Dame Helen Winkelmann, announced the switch to King’s Counsels and senior court announcements will now refer to “The King’s Judge”.

“It was with sadness that I woke to the news that Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II has died. On behalf of the judiciary I have issued a statement of condolence recognising her life of extraordinary commitment to duty and unprecedented service as Sovereign”, she said in a statement.

New Zealand’s courts are staying open with flags flying at half-mast and judges asked to mark their deaths “in a manner of their own choosing”, such as a statement of condolence, a two-minutes silence, or with a Maori prayer known as a karakia.

Australia’s courts are also planned to continue sitting, the Chief Justice announced, while in Alberta in Canada the name of the senior court has already been changed to “the Court of the King’s Bench”.

In the UK, name changes have not yet been announced, but the High Court is expected to change the Queen’s Bench Division to the King’s Bench Division.

Until her death, criminal prosecutions in the UK were brought in the name of The Queen, with official documents putting the defendant against “The Queen” or “Regina”. That is expected to change to “The King” or “Rex”, but courts have been advised they do not need to make the switch today.

Kirsty Brimelow KC, chairwoman of the Criminal Bar Association, said in her statement:  “The Criminal Bar Association joins with legal professions across the commonwealth in mourning the passing of Queen Elizabeth II.

“We pay tribute to the Queen’s steadfast and true public service and offer our deep condolences to His Majesty the King and the royal family.

“We mark with sorrow and dedication to justice the change of Queen’s Counsel to King’s Counsel.”

Current Attorney General Michael Ellis, his predecessor Suella Braverman, and a previous holder of the post Geoffrey Cox have all maintained their QC title while expressing condolences. The former Solicitor General Edward Timpson has converted his title to KC on Twitter.

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