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Queen’s Counsel to become King’s Counsel
In a statement issued first to Lawyers Weekly, the Australian Bar Association (ABA) has confirmed that persons appointed as QCs will automatically become KCs, following the accession to the throne of King Charles III.
Jerome Doraisamy
Following the passing of Her Majesty Elizabeth II earlier this morning Australian time (9 September), the appointments of persons as Queen’s Counsel by letters patent continue automatically, the ABA has confirmed.
Similarly, the UK-based Bar Council has been advised by the Crown Office that QCs become KCs with immediate effect.
Speaking following the death of Her Majesty, ABA president Dr Matt Collins AM KC said that Queen Elizabeth “served the people of Australia, the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth with unfailing dignity, compassion, intelligence and grace over seven remarkable decades”.
“Throughout that period, Australia has been very well served by, and owes much of its stability and prosperity to, the institutions and Westminster traditions of which her majesty has been a vital and wise custodian,” he proclaimed.
“On this sad day, the legal profession joins in mourning the death of her majesty and in offering our best wishes to her successor, King Charles III.”
The ABA, on behalf of Australia’s more than 6,000 barristers, offered its heartfelt condolences to the royal family in the wake of the passing.
Jerome Doraisamy
Jerome Doraisamy is the editor of Lawyers Weekly. A former lawyer, he has worked at Momentum Media as a journalist on Lawyers Weekly since February 2018, and has served as editor since March 2022. He is also the host of all five shows under The Lawyers Weekly Podcast Network, and has overseen the brand's audio medium growth from 4,000 downloads per month to over 60,000 downloads per month, making The Lawyers Weekly Show the most popular industry-specific podcast in Australia. Jerome is also the author of The Wellness Doctrines book series, an admitted solicitor in NSW, and a board director of Minds Count.
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