§ Lord Lester of Herne Hillasked Her Majesty's Government:
Further to the Written Answer by the Lord Chancellor on 7 January (WA 167), what are perceived to be the benefits and costs to consumers resulting from the current system of appointment of Queen's Counsel. [HL1043]
§ The Lord Chancellor (Lord Irvine of Lairg)Consumers benefit directly from the internationally recognised quality mark represented by Queen's Counsel status. It can guide uninformed consumers when choosing an advocate and help more experienced consumers switch to new advocates, thus facilitating competition. There are no costs to consumers resulting from the current system of appointment of Queen's Counsel because, as I stated in the House on 12 December 2002, the fee paid by applicants for appointment as Queen's Counsel represents full cost recovery.
§ Lord Lester of Herne Hillasked Her Majesty's Government:
Further to the Written Answer by the Lord Chancellor on 7 January (WA 167), which Minister 128WA of the Crown is at present directly and personally answerable to Parliament for the appointment of Queen's Counsel in Northern Ireland. [HL1044]
§ The Lord ChancellorI am. In addition, I make the recommendations to Her Majesty the Queen about which advocates in Northern Ireland she should appoint as Queen's Counsel. These recommendations are made after detailed discussions with the Lord Chief Justice of Northern Ireland, who has himself consulted all sectors of the legal profession in that jurisdiction.