While Lord Falconer's reforms of the QC system are a long way removed from the total abolition desired by some, they still represent solid progress towards a more transparent and equitable structure for selecting and maintaining silk.

The Gazette has long argued that the old system of appointing QCs was anachronistic, biased and shrouded in a fog of mystery that only served to perpetuate the perception - if, perhaps, not the reality - of an old boys' club.

It is only right in the modern world that the governing bodies of the two main branches of the legal profession should take responsibility for the selection process for the award of a quality mark for their members - and that the selection process should be independent of Whitehall.

A natural and proper result would be a considerable expansion of the number of solicitor-advocate QCs.

Not too far down the evolutionary road, it would also be right for other factors, apart from advocacy, to be taken into account so that non-contentious lawyers and non-advocate litigators can be eligible for silk.

But there are still grey areas to be clarified.

Lord Falconer suggests that there should be a means of continuing assessment of newly-appointed silks.

That raises the conundrum of what sanctions would be imposed on those QCs who fall below the pre-determined required standard.

The idea of ex-QCs, or QCs manqus, propping up the bar at El Vino's is an intriguing one to say the least.