King's Counsel (K.C.) is an honorary title bestowed on lawyers to recognize exceptional merit. It is known as Queen's Counsel during the reign of a female monarch.
Before 1899, appointments were created by federal letters patent. In 1899, enactment of the Queen's Counsel Act, 1899, S.B.C. 1899, c. 60 provided legislative authority for Majesty's Counsel appointments.
In past years, the Law Society of British Columbia administered an informal process of seeking K.C. nominations. In 2007, the Ministry of the Attorney General established a formal nomination system.
Queen's Counsel Act, R.S.B.C. 1996, c. 393
Queen's Counsel Nomination Process
Her Majesty's Counsel by Alfred Watts
Published in:
History of the Legal Profession in British Columbia: 1869-1984, p. 147-151 (available in most BC courthouse libraries)
History of the Law Society in British Columbia: 1869-1973, p. 94-98 (available in most BC courthouse libraries)
(1971) 29 The Advocate, p. 58-61 (available in most BC Courthouse libraries)
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