But Queensland's government announced last year it would end the practice and restore the rank of Queen's Counsel because the title was more distinguished and more highly regarded internationally. The government was also concerned that the initials SC might be mistaken for the Star of Courage – an Australian award for acts of bravery – or special counsel, a term used by some law firms for solicitors who are not partners.Most Canadian provinces still follow the practice, with the exception of Ontario and the federal government of Canada. I expect Prime Minister Harper will one day reverse this 1993 decision, as will Prime Minister (in waiting) Tony Abbott of Australia (fingers crossed) in the fullness of time.
Defending he British Crown Commonwealth and the English-Speaking Realms
The act of defending any of the cardinal virtues has today all the exhilaration of a vice - G.K. Chesterton
Monday, March 25, 2013
The Restoration of Queen's Counsel Down Under
Following on the heels of New Zealand's restoration in November 2012 of the prestigious post-nominal letters "QC", so goes Australia beginning with Queensland then probably Victoria and perhaps others. New Zealand and now Queensland leads the way:
This is excellent news, I am curious as to why Ontario would have abolished it of all places do you know?
ReplyDeleteQuebec has also abolished the practice.
ReplyDeleteI have no idea but they did so way back in 85 apparently.
ReplyDeleteIn Ontario it was abolished as appointments at the time were made by the lieutenant governor on the advice of cabinet, so it was essentially patronage and viewed as being undesirable. In the provinces that have retained QCs, it has switched to being an appointment made on the recommendation of the bar societies, so patronage has been taken out of the picture; making it a question of reform versus abolition.
ReplyDelete