Applications for Senior Counsel
Legal practitioners may apply to be granted a Patent of Precedence under Section 174 of the Legal Services Regulation Act 2015. On this page you can find out when and how to apply to the Advisory Committee on the grant of Patents of Precedence which makes recommendations to Government.
Applications to the Advisory Committee on the grant of Patents of Precedence
The Government on 9 July 2024 granted Patents of Precedence and the title of Senior Counsel for 2024. You can find more details here: Government Grants Patents of Precedence
Please check this page in mid-January 2025 for details about 2025 applications.
About the Advisory Committee
The Advisory Committee on the grant of Patents of Precedence was established under the Legal Services Regulation Act 2015 on 2 April 2020.
The Advisory Committee makes recommendations to the Government to grant a patent to a legal practitioner (solicitor or barrister). The Legal Services Regulatory Authority provides clerical and administrative assistance to the Advisory Committee. Membership of the Advisory Committee is set out in the Legal Services Regulation Act 2015. The Advisory Committee consists of:
- The Chief Justice (Chairperson of the Committee)
- The President of the Court of Appeal
- The President of the High Court
- The Attorney General
- The Chair of the Bar Council
- The President of the Law Society and
- Dr Don Thornhill, a lay member of the Authority (and its chair) nominated by the Minister for Justice.
General Queries
Any general queries in relation to the Guidance or Application form can be directed to the Secretariat to the Advisory Committee by email to [email protected].