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Thinking about applying for King's Counsel?

Some of our committee chairs and circuit leaders have shared their best advice and tips on how to start preparing for applications and interviews.

 

“Back yourself to succeed and go into the process with a dedicated but optimistic mindset. I suggest you get a trusted friend at the Bar to read your application and be critical where needed. I found that invaluable.”

Eleena Misra KC, Chair of our Law Reform Committee and employment barrister

 

“If you are invited to an interview, make sure you that you are entirely familiar with your application form. However, be careful not to over prepare.

"You need to present the best version of yourself and it is important to remain natural and flexible enough to respond to the questions you’re asked."

Harpreet Sandhu KC, Leader of the Midland Circuit, and a criminal and regulatory barrister

 

"Don’t convince yourself  “I don’t have the cases”. It is something I hear a lot and I had the same thought myself.  

"My clerk printed out my last three years’ diary and I spent time going through it, considering the cases in which I’d been involved in some detail. I surprised myself. It wasn’t necessarily the appeals or High Court cases that best illustrated a level of excellence in the required competencies.

"I used a mixture of cases at all levels including some at District Judge level and even one particularly difficult negotiated settlement which ticked a number of the boxes in terms of working with others.  

"Also, don’t assume they all have to be led cases.  The KCA want to see evidence of your capacity to be a leader.  It can be sometimes easier to demonstrate that if you choose cases in which you have held your own against silk.  

"Above all, remember that your silk application is unique to you and what has worked for other applicants might not work for you. Back yourself.  That’s what a leader does."

Samantha Hillas KC, Leader of the Northern Circuit and family barrister

 

"Have someone that you can trust critique your draft application form well in advance of the submission date.

“Choose someone who will tell you the unvarnished truth. Choose someone who you know will be prepared to say what needs changing, what needs improving and what needs excising."

Christopher Rees KC, Leader of the Wales and Chester Circuit, and criminal barrister

 

"Applying for silk can be a really daunting process. My way of keeping calm during it was to keep a running list of the cases I wanted to rely upon many months before my form was due in, along with potential referees for the difference cases. 

"Under each potential case I would keep a note of what documents were useful to help me address the competencies for each case, eg skeleton argument or closing submissions.  Having this list which I updated regularly until I was happy with my final choices gave me some peace of mind.

"My second piece of advice is at the start of the process do read the guidance which exists in many different places about the process – such as the recent silk supplement information in Counsel magazine or indeed on the KCA website."

Rachel Crasnow KC, Chair of our Equality, Diversity and Social Mobility Committee, and employment and equality law barrister