Senior Counsel
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The title of Senior Counsel (postnominal SC; 資深大律師 in Hong Kong Cantonese [1] (http://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/200404/07/0407184.htm) [2] (http://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/200404/07/0407183.htm); 高级律师 in Singapore Mandarin [3] (http://chineseterms.zaobao.com/gov/gov_agc1.html) [4] (http://mandarin.org.sg/learn_mandarin/government_titles/title_qz.htm)) is given to a senior barrister or advocate in some countries, especially in Commonwealth countries or jurisdictions in which the British monarch is no longer head of state, such as the Republic of Ireland, South Africa, Guyana, Trinidad and Tobago, and Hong Kong. It replaces the title Queen's Counsel. Other jurisdictions have adopted similar titles such as Senior Advocate in India [5] (http://supremecourtofindia.nic.in/new_s/constitution.htm), State Counsel in Queensland or President's Counsel in Sri Lanka.
The rank of Senior Counsel has also been introduced in Australian states such as New South Wales, and its introduction is under consideration in New Zealand. The title may even be introduced in the United Kingdom itself, the change of title reflecting appointment by the profession, rather than moves towards republicanism.
External link
- Hong Kong Bar Association (http://www.hkba.org)
- directory of SCs in Singapore (http://www.sal.org.sg/svcs_sc_directory.htm)
- Guardian 2004-04-10: QC system replaced by new scheme after 400 years (http://www.guardian.co.uk/guardianpolitics/story/0,3605,1189337,00.html)
- Guardian 2004-05-28: U-turn lets QC title live on for now (http://www.guardian.co.uk/guardianpolitics/story/0,3605,1225397,00.html)