From Queen to King: Lawyers Swap “QC” for “KC” in a Flash
When Queen Elizabeth II passed away last week, a flurry of legal robes—no, we’re talking titles—took a sudden regal turn. One less than 2,000 elite UK lawyers, along with hundreds in Commonwealth nations, found themselves instantly wearing the sash of King’s Counsel (KC) instead of the long‑standing Queen’s Counsel (QC).
Why the Swap Matters
- Lawyers now have to rewrite everything from their letterheads to social‑media bios with the new abbreviation KC.
- The change is a constant, public reminder that the Queen has gone.
- It’s more than a cosmetic tweak; think of it as the legal version of “you’re a version 2.0 now.”
Behind the Scene Shifts
The Bar Council, representing over 1,650 barristers in England and Wales, confirmed the swap. Barristers—those courtroom gladiators—are the ones who argued this time; solicitors, who typically don’t, are out of the spotlight.
London’s own King’s Counsel, Lord Peter Goldsmith, retired from the role of Attorney General but is still juggling the new title in his firm, Debevoise & Plimpton. He warned: “Make no mistake—this change is a daily mental nudge that the Queen has left the throne.”
Practicalities & The New “KC” Identity
Within hours of the Queen’s death, many lawyers were seen scrambling to update:
- Website and firm profiles.
- New stationery emblazoned with “KC.”
- Social‑media posts with a splash of humor, referencing the funk‑y band KC & the Sunshine Band.
London’s partner at Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher, Jeffrey Sullivan, noddingly added, “Adapting to ‘KC’ will take a while. Just expect a few slip‑ups in the coming months—lawyers, judges, and clients alike will need to recalibrate.”
What Is King’s Counsel?
In Commonwealth law, the title is a badge of seniority and respect, reserved for those who have carved out a distinguished legal career. Historically, it belonged to barristers, but since 1996 solicitors can also be eligible.
- Informally dubbed “silks,” these lawyers wear the special silk gowns and classic wigs that make them court‑room icons.
- They are appointed by the Crown after a lengthy application process.
- Being a KC often means front‑row seats in court and higher fees.
Drama on Television
The QC/KC tradition has even seeped into pop culture. Think of 1990s dramas like Kavanagh QC and the 2011 series Silk, plus the recent Netflix miniseries Silicon of a Scandal, which chronicles a QC prosecuting a high‑profile rape case.
From Elizabeth I to Modern Courts
The roots of the QC system run back to 1597, when Queen Elizabeth I appointed Sir Francis Bacon as the first Queen’s Counsel. The system faced criticism in the early 2000s for being too secretive and exclusive—mostly white men and men who had a supposedly unfair advantage. It was nearly abolished, only to be re‑enabled in a new, more transparent form.
Looking Ahead
While the KC title might spark calls for further reform, for now seasoned partners like Paul Mitchard—now retired from Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom in Hong Kong—find solace in the “ancient ring” that the new title evokes.
In the grand tapestry of British law, the shift from QC to KC is a tidy chapter—one that reminds us that even the most established institutions can pivot with a monarch’s passing. And that’s a lesson worth keeping in your legal brief!
