Nominations for the honorary designation of Queen’s counsel (QC) open May 25, 2018, and will be accepted until July 20, 2018.

The nomination process has been modified to begin earlier this year. The nomination period will remain open for eight weeks, which is longer than in previous years.

The title is bestowed annually by the lieutenant governor on the endorsement of the attorney general.

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

For information and the nomination form, visit:  https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/justice/for-legal-professionals/queens-counsel

Quick Facts:

• In 2017, 27 QCs were appointed from 182 nominations.
• No more than 7% of practising 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, B.C. Branch
  • The deputy attorney general
• Currently, there are 11,533 practising lawyers in B.C., of which 492 have the B.C. Queen’s counsel designation.