Nomination of Counsel

One of the functions of the Attorney General is the appointment of all Counsel who advise or appear on behalf of Government.  The recruitment process for the Panel Counsel system is designed to identify by open competition high calibre Counsel willing to undertake Government work.  Solicitor Advocates or junior barristers are appointed either to the civil or criminal panel system.  The civil Panels consist of a combined regional panel and London A, B and C panels, depending on level of experience.  The criminal Panels are nationwide.

However, there will be occasions when it is necessary to instruct a QC and other occasions when no Panel Counsel with appropriate experience are available. In these circumstances, a department may ask the Law Officers to approve a nomination of Counsel, either an off panel junior or a silk.

The process is the same whether a QC nomination or an off-panel civil junior counsel nomination is sought.  Off panel criminal juniors are appointed by the Management Board of the Unified List (who report to the Law Officers). 

Subject to this, the system is as follows:

1. A department identifies a need to instruct a QC, or, having looked thoroughly, cannot find available Panel Counsel with appropriate experience;
2. They identify suitable Counsel and complete a nominations proforma detailing the reasons for their choice;
3. The request is considered by the Law Officers and approval is either granted or denied;
4. If granted, the department is informed, and instruct Counsel;
5. If denied, the department is informed and resubmit a fresh request.

Please complete the online Nomination of Counsel Proforma. Note the annex needs to be completed, and ensure when filling out the annex that you do the following in order to mark them correctly:

		Left double-click the boxes
		Select 'Checked'
		Click 'OK'

Please may you also ensure you provide the name of the case.

Once completed, please send your form to nominations@attorneygeneral.gsi.gov.uk. If you encounter any problems please feel free to call us on (020) 7271 2492.

Please also be sure to regularly check this page to ensure you have the correct version of the proforma as it is revised from time to time.