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| Number of female lawyers applying to be QC falls | Number of female lawyers applying to be QC falls |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| There has been a significant fall in the number of female lawyers applying to acquire the elite status of Queen's Counsel (QC). | There has been a significant fall in the number of female lawyers applying to acquire the elite status of Queen's Counsel (QC). |
| The sharp drop comes against an overall decline in applications by barristers and solicitors to the QC appointments panel, reflecting difficult times in the legal profession. | The sharp drop comes against an overall decline in applications by barristers and solicitors to the QC appointments panel, reflecting difficult times in the legal profession. |
| A total of 183 barristers and solicitors put their names forward to become QCs in the latest round of assessments. Of the 84 successful applicants, only 14 were women and just three were not white. | A total of 183 barristers and solicitors put their names forward to become QCs in the latest round of assessments. Of the 84 successful applicants, only 14 were women and just three were not white. |
| A total of 26 women applied to become a QC, down from 40 who applied the previous year. | A total of 26 women applied to become a QC, down from 40 who applied the previous year. |
| There were more applications from those who declared an ethnic minority origin, but they had a lower success rate than in the previous year. Six such applicants were made QCs last year, three more than were successful this year. | There were more applications from those who declared an ethnic minority origin, but they had a lower success rate than in the previous year. Six such applicants were made QCs last year, three more than were successful this year. |
| When barristers, or solicitors, apply to become QCs, their fees rise. In a period when there is insufficient work around, becoming a QC can result in law firms being less willing to instruct them at higher rates. | |
| The number of QC applications has been falling sharply over the past few years. In 2009, there were 275 submissions; last year there were 183. | The number of QC applications has been falling sharply over the past few years. In 2009, there were 275 submissions; last year there were 183. |
| Helen Pitcher, chairman of the QC panel, said the panel had a "difficult task" in identifying the "truly excellent advocates" and praised those who had made the grade. | Helen Pitcher, chairman of the QC panel, said the panel had a "difficult task" in identifying the "truly excellent advocates" and praised those who had made the grade. |
| She said: "I am very pleased at the announcement of the 84 new silks. I congratulate each one of them. The selection process is an exacting one. | She said: "I am very pleased at the announcement of the 84 new silks. I congratulate each one of them. The selection process is an exacting one. |
| "We collect confidential assessments from judges, fellow advocates and professional clients, all of whom will have seen the applicant at work. | "We collect confidential assessments from judges, fellow advocates and professional clients, all of whom will have seen the applicant at work. |
| "Applicants are also interviewed by two members of the panel. The whole panel then discusses the evidence on each applicant. | "Applicants are also interviewed by two members of the panel. The whole panel then discusses the evidence on each applicant. |
| "We have been impressed by the extremely high quality of the applicants. The panel has had the difficult task of identifying the truly excellent advocates." | "We have been impressed by the extremely high quality of the applicants. The panel has had the difficult task of identifying the truly excellent advocates." |
| The youngest successful applicant on this occasion was 36 and the oldest 61, with five applicants aged over 50 at the time of their application being selected, compared with three being appointed last year. | The youngest successful applicant on this occasion was 36 and the oldest 61, with five applicants aged over 50 at the time of their application being selected, compared with three being appointed last year. |