Nominations for the honorary designation of Queen’s counsel (QC) open May 24, 2019, and will be accepted until July 19, 2019.

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

Quick Facts:

• In 2018, 28 QCs were appointed from 129 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 B.C.;
  • the chief justice of the Supreme Court of B.C.;
  • the chief judge of the provincial court of B.C.;
  • two members of the Law Society appointed by the benchers;
  • the president of the Canadian Bar Association, B.C. Branch; and
  • the deputy attorney general.
• Currently, there are approximately 11,000 practising lawyers in B.C., of whom 494 currently have the B.C. Queen’s counsel designation.