Re: King's Counsel (KC) award
Posted: Wed Nov 12, 2025 11:43 am
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.
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.