Applications are now open for solicitors and barristers to apply to the Legal Services Regulatory Authority Advisory Committee on the grant of Patents of Precedence to use the title of Senior Counsel.

Legal practitioners may apply to be granted a Patent of Precedence under Section 174 of the Legal Services Regulation Act 2015.

Deadline

The deadline for receipt of completed applications is 5pm on Thursday, 16 February 2023.

The Advisory Committee was established under the act in April 2020, and has established the criteria to be met by a legal practitioner in order for a recommendation for a grant of a Patent of Precedence.

This is the fourth round of the process.

The grant of a Patent of Precedence in relation to a barrister entitles him or her to be called to the Inner Bar, and to use the title of Senior Counsel.

The Advisory Committee consists of:

• Chief Justice (chair),
• President of Court of Appeal,President of High Court,
• Attorney General,
• Chair of Bar Council,
• President of Law Society, and
• Dr Don Thornhill, (lay member of authority, and its chair, nominated by Minister for Justice and Equality).

The Legal Services Regulatory Authority provides administrative and secretarial support to the Advisory Committee.

Further details on how to apply are available online.