A group of senior barristers are pushing for the return of the title of Queens Counsel.Credit:James Davies
However,a pro-QC "ticket" of barristers seized control of the Bar Council in November,when it won 12 of the available 21 positions in the annual election. This allowed it to use its voting muscle to change the association's policy.
Among the supporters of the change wasDeputy Senior Crown Prosecutor Margaret Cunneen,SC,who won a legal battle against the Independent Commission Against Corruption last month.
"Happy to consider any idea":Attorney-General Gabrielle Upton.Credit:Steven Siewert
The Bar Council resolved on Thursday night to adopt the policy that there should be a uniform system of titles and styles for barristers across the country. In the meantime,it said all NSW barristers who are appointed silks should be allowed to elect to"use the title Queen's Counsel ... or King's Counsel as the case may be".
The non-royalist title of Senior Counsel (SC) was introduced in 1993 in NSW,along with a new scheme for appointing silks. Giving silks the option of using the title of QC would require a change of legislation in NSW.
The issue divided silks last year. A working party chaired by Bar Association president Jane Needham,SC – who was not on the pro-QC ticket – has been set up to advance the policy and present it to government.
Asked about reintroducing the title last month,Attorney-General Gabrielle Upton told theHerald she was"happy to consider any idea"but she would"need to understand the rationale for it and how that serves the system of justice well".