Eversheds partner awarded silk in 129-strong round

Eversheds energy partner Marcus Trinick was the only solicitor advocate of the 10 who applied to be awarded silk. In 2009, four solicitor advocate applications were received, of which three were appointed.

Of the 46 women who applied, 20 have been made up. This compares with 16 last year.

Seventeen applicants who declared their ethnic origin to be other than white were made up - the equivalent of 49 per cent of the 35 who applied.

Professor Dame Joan Higgins, chair of the QC selection panel, said: “The selection panel believes that the quality of applications this year was higher than ever. 

“Nevertheless, inevitably, some applicants have had to be disappointed.  The standard for appointment is very high.  Even if an advocate hasn’t been appointed on this occasion it does not mean that he or she isn’t a valued and effective practitioner.”

In 2004 the Law Society and Bar Council overhauled how QCs were selected by putting in place an independent body made up of four non-lawyers, two solicitors, two barristers and a retired judge. This came after the process was criticised for being too lengthy, costly and shrouded in secrecy.

The list of new silks in full: