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To receive a King's Counsel (KC) award, a lawyer must demonstrate exceptional merit and make significant contributions to the legal profession and public life. While specific requirements vary by province, common criteria include a minimum number of years practicing law, excellence in legal practice, professional integrity, good character, and a history of legal leadership or scholarship. Candidates are typically nominated by peers and their applications are reviewed by a selection committee.

General eligibility
Experience: A minimum number of years as a practicing lawyer (e.g., at least five years in British Columbia, at least 10 years in Alberta).
Professional conduct: Demonstrated professional integrity, good character, honesty, and discretion.
Excellence: A record of outstanding work in areas like legal education, legal scholarship, or service to the legal profession and community.
Legal leadership: Contributions to the profession or public life in the province.

Application and nomination
Nomination: Lawyers are typically nominated by their peers.
Application process: Applicants must often complete a web form, submit a resume, and provide letters of reference.
Review: A King's Counsel screening or advisory committee reviews the nominations and makes recommendations to the Attorney General or Lieutenant Governor.

Provincial differences
British Columbia: Must have been a member of the B.C. bar for at least five years. Excellence can be shown through outstanding work in legal education or scholarship.
Alberta: Must have been called to the bar for at least 10 years and practiced in Alberta for at least five years. Significant contributions to the profession or public life are required.

To be appointed to the King's Counsel (KC), a lawyer must be a member of the B.C. bar for at least five years and demonstrate professional integrity, good character, and excellence in the practice of law. Excellence can be shown through achievements in legal education, scholarship, leadership, or through recognition by peers as a leading counsel. Nominations are reviewed by an advisory committee, and the designation is bestowed annually by the Lieutenant Governor of B.C. on the endorsement of the Attorney General.
Eligibility and criteria
Bar membership: Must have been a member of the British Columbia bar for a minimum of five years.
Professional integrity and good character: Must be recognized by peers for having professional integrity and good character.
Excellence: Must demonstrate excellence in the practice of law through outstanding work in legal education or scholarship, exceptional leadership, or by being acknowledged as a leading counsel by peers.
Disciplinary status: Individuals with open complaints or ongoing investigations with the Law Society of British Columbia are not eligible.
Nomination and selection process
Nomination: Lawyers can be nominated for the designation.
Advisory committee: All applications are reviewed by an advisory committee, which recommends candidates to the Attorney General.
Consultation: The Attorney General is required to consult with the Chief Justice of British Columbia, the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of British Columbia, and two benchers from the Law Society of British Columbia before making a recommendation.
Final approval: The Lieutenant Governor makes the appointment upon the endorsement of the Attorney General.

The primary benefits of a King's Counsel (KC) appointment are professional recognition and prestige within the legal community, rather than specific legal privileges or a direct salary increase from the government. The designation is an honorary title recognizing exceptional merit and contribution to the legal profession.
Key benefits include:
Professional Recognition: The title signifies that a lawyer is acknowledged by their peers and the judiciary as an outstanding, leading counsel or exceptionally gifted practitioner with professional integrity and good character.
Use of Post-Nominals: Appointees are entitled to add the letters "KC" after their name, a public marker of their expertise and status.
Wearing a Silk Gown: The appointment is often referred to as "taking silk" because KCs are entitled to wear a special silk robe in court, distinguishing them from "junior" barristers.
Court Precedence: In some court settings (historically, being seated in the "inner bar"), KCs traditionally have precedence to speak first in court, although this can vary by jurisdiction and modern practice.
Enhanced Earning Potential: While the government does not provide a direct pay raise, the status of KC generally allows senior barristers in private practice to charge higher fees for their services, leading to significantly greater earnings, particularly in high-profile cases.
Career Advancement: The designation can be a stepping stone to further career opportunities, such as judicial appointments.
In summary, the King's Counsel appointment is a mark of honour that bestows significant professional advantages in terms of status, recognition, and potential income, but it does not come with a set list of "special powers or privileges" in a regulatory sense.

The main etiquette change from Queen's Counsel (QC) to King's Counsel (KC) in Canada is a name change to reflect the new monarch, King Charles III. All existing QCs were automatically retitled KC, and this change was also reflected in legal documents and court names, such as the renaming of the "Court of Queen's Bench" to the "Court of King's Bench". Other associated changes include updated legal case names to "His Majesty the King" and new currency featuring the King's effigy.

Legal and professional changes
Queen's Counsel (QC) to King's Counsel (KC): The honorary title is now KC to reflect the new monarch.
Automatic transition: The change was automatic for all existing QCs upon the accession of King Charles III, with no need for new appointments or letters patent.
Court names: Superior courts named "Queen's Bench" were automatically renamed "King's Bench" in provinces that had them, such as Alberta, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and New Brunswick.
Case names: Legal cases involving the Crown are now styled as "His Majesty the King" instead of "Her Majesty the Queen".
Other legal documents: Legal documents with the term "Queen's Bench" remain valid, but new ones should use "King's Bench".

Other related changes
Royal anthem: The royal anthem changed from "God Save the Queen" to "God Save the King".
Currency: The Royal Canadian Mint and the Bank of Canada will issue new coins and banknotes featuring King Charles III.
Stamps: Canada Post will issue new stamps with the King's effigy.