Warm congratulations to this year’s batch of KC Honoris Causa (honorary KCs). For Obiter, the standout name on the list was parliament’s relentless inquisitor Sir Bob Neill, chair of the justice committee. The others this year are: EU law specialist Professor Anthony Arnull; Professor Norman Doe, director of Cardiff Law School’s centre for law and religion; Michael Meyer, head of international law at the British Red Cross; and human rights specialist Professor Fionnuala Ní Aoláin of Queen’s University Belfast. 

But what, exactly, is an honorary KC? And (asking for a friend, of course) how does one go about applying? Unlike the regular silks appointment process, the scheme is run directly by the Ministry of Justice. It chairs a panel representing the legal profession, civil service, judiciary and academia which makes recommendations to the lord chancellor. The final word, of course, is with the King, who grants the award under the royal prerogative.

Sir Bob Neill

A standout name on the honorary KC list was Sir Bob Neill

Source: Parliament.co.uk

The award is for those ‘who have made a major contribution to the law of England and Wales, outside practice in the courts’. To be eligible, you must be ‘a qualified lawyer or legal academic’. (The sole journalist with the honour, the Gazette’s own Joshua Rozenberg, made the grade because he was originally admitted as a solicitor.)

If you fancy a shot, or would like to recommend a friend, an application form for next year should be on the gov.uk website in June. Oh, and just to make sure the ministry doesn’t pick any wrong ‘uns, shortlisted nominees undergo a criminal record check.

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