Appointment of QCs set to be reformed

A new way of appointing senior lawyers will help to put the interests of consumers first, the government has said today.

Setting out changes to the way lawyers become Queen's Counsel, or QCs, Constitutional Affairs Secretary Lord Falconer said the new scheme would be "fairer and more open".

QCs have traditionally been appointed by The Queen on the advice of the Lord Chancellor. A report by the Office of Fair Trading in 2001 questioned whether this worked in the best interests of consumers.

The changes announced today will mean that the legal profession will select candidates after an open competition and submit the list to the Secretary of State for Constitutional Affairs. He will then recommend to The Queen to appoint the candidates.

Merit will remain the most important aspect of selection. Other qualities like advocacy ability, integrity and client care will also be considered.

The QC rank, which acts as a quality 'kitemark', could be removed if people don't meet the necessary professional standards.

"The legal system has to put customers first," said Lord Falconer. "People who buy legal services must be sure they are getting proper value for money."

The first intake of QCs under the new system will take place next year – the current system was suspended in 2002.

Lord Falconer said that there will be a wider review of all the information about legal services available to consumers. The new QC scheme will remain in place while that review is carried out.

"For the sake of continuity, we have decided to retain the QC title until the outcome of the longer-term market study is clear," said the Secretary of State.

"This should not be taken as guaranteeing the QC title forever."

(gmcg)