100 new QCs have just been appointed, well up on the 84 who were made up last year and on the 88 made up the year before. And five of them are solicitors.
225 lawyers applied, giving an overall success rate of 44%. 43% of women who applied were successful (18 out of 42), and 41% of ethnic minority applicants made the cut (13 out of 32). But the most successful group of applicants by far were solicitor advocates. Five were appointed out of the seven who applied, meaning a success rate of 71%.
The solicitors who have joined the upper echelons of the profession are Matthew Gearing at Allen & Overy, Paula Hodges and Matthew Weiniger at Herbert Smith Freehills, Nic Fletcher at Berwin Leighton Paisner and Constantine Partasides who is currently at Freshfields but soon to set up his own arbitration boutique.
In addition, another four solicitors were made honorary QCs in recognition of "their pioneering contribution to the law of England and Wales outside of practise in the courts". Michael Smyth, former head of public law at Clifford Chance, Saimo Chahal at Bindmans, Paul Newdick at Clydes and Nicola Mackintosh at Mackintosh Law are all honoured.
The 95 barristers who were promoted can now double their hourly rates for no particular reason, and get to wear full bottomed wigs when they protest outside court next month.
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225 lawyers applied, giving an overall success rate of 44%. 43% of women who applied were successful (18 out of 42), and 41% of ethnic minority applicants made the cut (13 out of 32). But the most successful group of applicants by far were solicitor advocates. Five were appointed out of the seven who applied, meaning a success rate of 71%.
The solicitors who have joined the upper echelons of the profession are Matthew Gearing at Allen & Overy, Paula Hodges and Matthew Weiniger at Herbert Smith Freehills, Nic Fletcher at Berwin Leighton Paisner and Constantine Partasides who is currently at Freshfields but soon to set up his own arbitration boutique.
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A barrister celebrating yesterday |
In addition, another four solicitors were made honorary QCs in recognition of "their pioneering contribution to the law of England and Wales outside of practise in the courts". Michael Smyth, former head of public law at Clifford Chance, Saimo Chahal at Bindmans, Paul Newdick at Clydes and Nicola Mackintosh at Mackintosh Law are all honoured.
The 95 barristers who were promoted can now double their hourly rates for no particular reason, and get to wear full bottomed wigs when they protest outside court next month.