Nominations for the honorary designation of Queen’s Counsel (Q.C.) open Aug. 15 and will be accepted until Friday, Sept. 23, 2016. The title is bestowed annually by the Lieutenant Governor on the endorsement of Attorney General and Minister of Justice Suzanne Anton Q.C.

The Q.C. designation recognizes British Columbia lawyers for distinctive merit and exceptional contribution to the legal profession. Successful candidates will have demonstrated professional integrity and good character and will have been a member of the British Columbia bar for at least five years.

For information or a nomination form, visit: http://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/justice/for-legal-professionals/queens-counsel

Quick Facts:

• In December 2015, 39 Q.C.s were appointed from 183 nominations.
• No more than 7% of practicing B.C. lawyers can be appointed as Queen’s Counsel.
• All applications are reviewed by an advisory committee, which recommends deserving candidates to the Attorney General. The committee includes:
  • The Chief Justice of British Columbia
  • The Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of British Columbia
  • The Chief Judge of the Provincial Court
  • Two members of the law society appointed by the benchers
  • The president of the Canadian Bar Association, BC Branch
  • The deputy attorney general
• As of Dec. 31, 2015, there were 11,433 practising lawyers in B.C. of which 553 had been appointed as Queen’s Counsel.