Nominations for Honorary King’s Counsel: Submit by 18 September 2026

The Ministry of Justice is currently seeking nominations for the prestigious award of King’s Counsel Honoris Causa. Individuals wishing to submit a nomination must complete the relevant forms and return them to the Ministry by 11:55 PM on 18 September 2026. To proceed with a nomination, please fill out the nomination form available through the provided link.

A Unique Honour for Legal Contributions

The King’s Counsel Honoris Causa is an honorary accolade, exclusive to the legal profession, and conferred under the royal prerogative. This award provides a unique opportunity to acknowledge the significant contributions made by lawyers and legal academics to the law of England and Wales, as well as their impact on the profession beyond the courtroom.

It is important to note that this honour does not equate to a working rank; it is distinct from substantive King’s Counsel appointments, which are reserved for those demonstrating exceptional advocacy in higher courts.

Criteria for Nomination

The award aims to recognise individuals who have made a substantial and positive impact on the law of England and Wales or on the legal profession, particularly through efforts outside of courtroom advocacy. This broad criterion may encompass:

• Significant contributions to the development of legal frameworks, such as through dedicated research, influencing case law or legislation, and promoting essential initiatives.
• Improvements in the legal profession, including efforts to enhance diversity, social mobility, and professional standards.

What remains crucial is that nominations must provide clear evidence demonstrating the nominee’s significant contributions and their positive effects. While long service may be acknowledged, it is the scale and impact of the contributions that hold primary importance.

Further information on how to submit a compelling nomination can be found in the nomination form itself.

Reflecting Diversity in Legal Excellence

The Ministry is eager to ensure that the awards reflect a diverse array of backgrounds, experiences, and career trajectories among eligible lawyers and legal academics who have made notable impacts on the law of England and Wales or the wider legal profession. To assist nominators in identifying suitable candidates, a selection of case studies featuring previous recipients has been published, alongside information on last year’s awardees.

Examples of Contributions

Potential contributions that may be recognised by this award include:

• Influencing Legislation: Impacting the law through legislative advocacy, campaigning, pro bono work, or other forms of influence outside the courtroom.
• Strengthening the Legal Profession: Initiatives that promote diversity, broaden access to legal careers, enhance professional standards, or support professional development.
• Innovation: Significant achievements or innovations, particularly in areas like Lawtech or legal education.
• Academic Contributions: Outstanding academic work that informs legal understanding, influences policy, or contributes positively to the legal system.
• International Contributions: Enhancing the law of England and Wales or the profession through international initiatives, such as promoting legal services overseas or contributing to international standards.

Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible for this honour, nominees must be qualified lawyers or legal academics who meet specific additional criteria, particularly concerning recent advocacy and the UK honours system. Eligible lawyers may include:

• Solicitors
• Barristers
• Chartered legal executives
• Trademark attorneys
• Patent attorneys
• Licensed conveyancers
• Costs lawyers
• Notaries
• Probate practitioners

Qualified lawyers can be practising or non-practising and may work in various environments, including private practice, in-house roles, public service, regulation, or the third sector. Notably, the award is open to foreign-qualified professionals as well as eligible lawyers and legal academics based abroad, without any residency or nationality restrictions.

It is important to note that individuals currently serving as practising barristers or solicitor advocates who have appeared in the courts of England and Wales in the last two years, as well as those who have received an honour through the main UK honours system within the past two years, are ineligible for consideration.

The Selection Process

The Ministry of Justice administers the nomination process, with a panel comprising representatives from the legal profession, civil service, judiciary, and academia evaluating submissions. This panel, chaired by a Ministry official, will provide a shortlist of recommended nominees to the Lord Chancellor, who will make the final recommendations to His Majesty the King for the awards to be granted under royal prerogative.

To ensure the suitability of each nominee, the Ministry conducts thorough checks, including cross-Whitehall due diligence, evaluations by the selection panel, and criminal record checks for shortlisted nominees.

Nomination Procedures and Webinars

Nominations must be submitted using the digital form provided by the Ministry of Justice. It is crucial to note that only nominations made through this digital platform will be accepted. Should you have questions or require assistance, please reach out via email to HonoraryKC@justice.gov.uk.

The Ministry will also host webinars for prospective nominators to provide insights into the Honorary KC award, outline the nomination process, and address any queries. These webinars are scheduled for:

• Wednesday, 29 July 2026, from 10 AM to 11 AM
• Tuesday, 11 August 2026, from 10 AM to 11 AM
• Wednesday, 2 September 2026, from 10 AM to 11 AM

To register for a webinar, please email HonoraryKC@justice.gov.uk with your preferred date.

Common Questions Addressed

For those considering a nomination, the Ministry has compiled a list of frequently asked questions regarding the process, timelines, and eligibility criteria. This includes clarification on the distinction between substantive KC and Honorary KC, the possibility of self-nominations, and the protocol for submitting multiple nominations.

While the deadline for nominations is firmly set, individuals are encouraged to prepare for future rounds of nominations should they miss the current opportunity.