Parliament votes to bring back Queen’s Counsel title in SA, in return to regal days of old

Some top lawyers don’t think being called a Senior Counsel is special enough, so now Parliament will bring back a much more regal title which hasn’t been used in a decade.

David Edwardson QC is one of Adelaide’s most respected barristers, and became a QC in 2006, two years before the government switched the honorific to SC. Picture: Bianca De Marchi

• Meet Zero, SA’s first courthouse comfort dog

South Australia is bringing back the regal title of Queen’s Counsel for top lawyers.

Parliament has signed off on the push, led by Attorney-General Vickie Chapman.

Anyone who has been, or will be, appointed a Senior Counsel by the Supreme Court can apply to use the alternative title of Queen’s Counsel.

Attorney-General Vickie Chapman has led the push to bring back the title of “Queen’s Counsel”. Picture: AAP / David Mariuz

That application is to be made to the Attorney-General, who would in turn make a recommendation to the Governor.

“Restoring the use of QC provides a choice for members of the SA legal profession who have demonstrated outstanding ability as counsel, as well as leadership,” Ms Chapman said.

“There is some confusion and misunderstanding in the broader community about the use of the term Senior Counsel, which is less well-known and regarded than the QC title.”

There are also concerns the title SC is not as well-known in the Asia-Pacific when local lawyers seek work there, and can be confused with the less distinguished ‘special counsel’.

The title of Senior Counsel came into use in South Australia in 2008, after the then state government ceased the appointment of QCs, in line with other state and territories.

Other jurisdictions have moved to reintroduce the QC title, including Queensland and Victoria, and Ms Chapman said the move has strong support from the legal profession in SA.