New QCs announced in England and Wales

The Queen’s Counsel Appointment (QCA) panel approved 107 new Queen’s Counsel this week, including Justine Thornton, wife of Ed Milliband and Marina Wheeler, Boris Johnson’s wife.

Mrs Thornton called in 1994 and is a environmental and planning law expert at 39 Essex Chamberswhile Mrs Wheeler, who called in 1987, is a public and administrative law specialist at One Crown Office Row.

Three solicitors also made the cut, down from five last year. There were nine applications from solicitors this year – the same as in 2015.

Terra Firma Chambers’ John McKendrick is also to be appointed Queen’s Counsel.

Mr McKendrick is recommended in the current editions of both Chambers UKand Legal 500 for his work at the bar of England & Wales: ”He has a tenacious, no-nonsense approach, and is very persuasive and articulate, and first rate with clients.”

”Exceptionally bright, he can just take instructions and come up with a plan the next morning. He’s a bit of a magician in that way, and he’s brilliant to work with.” (Chambers UK, 2015). ‘An excellent lawyer’ (Legal 500, 2014).

Alongside the lawyers being appointed QC, Her Majesty the Queen has also approved the appointment of eight new Queen’s Counsel Honoris Causa:Professor Robert Blackburn, Professor Adrian Briggs, Professor Sara Chandler, Professor Jonathan Harris, Anne-Marie Hutchinson OBE,Professor Ian Scott, Professor Clive Walker and legal journalist Joshua Rozenberg.

The Lord Chancellor, Michael Gove, will preside over the appointment ceremony, where the rank will formally be bestowed upon successful applicants, at Westminster Hall on 22 February.

Mr Gove said: “I congratulate the eight new Honorary Queen’s Counsel. Their appointments recognise the major contribution each has made to the law of England and Wales outside of practice in the courts, in some cases in careers spanning many years.

“I also commend the further 107 barristers and solicitors, who have demonstrated their excellence as advocates in practice, for their appointment to Queen’s Counsel.”