HM Government

The Ministry of Justice (MOJ) is inviting nominations for appointment as Queen’s Counsel (QC) ‘honoris causa’ (honorary silk). Nomination forms must be completed and returned to MOJ by 1 September 2017.

The rank of QC is awarded to advocates (barristers and solicitors) who have demonstrated particular skill and expertise in the conduct of advocacy. It has been awarded in various forms for around 400 years. The rank of QC honoris causa is separate to these awards and are awarded to lawyers and legal academics that have made a major contribution to the law of England and Wales outside practice in the courts, which has not been recognised through other forms of honours.

Honorary silks were first awarded in the late nineteenth century and it has been the practice for governments to recommend a small number of lawyers and legal academics for the honorary rank with each round of substantive QC appointments. Despite its name, honorary silk is not part of the honours system and is administered separately within MOJ.

Eligibility criteria

In making a nomination you should ensure that your nominee meets the required criteria set out below:

• the award is open only to qualified lawyers and to legal academics

• the individual should have made a ‘major contribution to the law of England and Wales’

• ‘Outside practice in the courts’ will generally mean that the award is made for an achievement other than a person’s normal practice as a lawyer or academic

• QC honoris causa is not a ‘working rank’. It cannot be used in practice as a lawyer. Furthermore, honorary silk cannot be awarded as an alternative to the substantive QC rank for people who, for whatever reason, do not fit its eligibility criteria

• Honorary silk is awarded only in England and Wales. There is no exact equivalent in Scotland or Northern Ireland. However, this does not mean that achievements of a similar nature cannot be recognised in those jurisdictions. If you would like to nominate someone, whose work is in Scotland or Northern Ireland, for an honour you can contact the Scottish Government or the Honours Secretariat for Northern Ireland.

We recognise that those who are not lawyers or legal academics make equally valuable contributions to public life, and may have done so in similar fields as legally qualified individuals. If you feel a non-legally qualified individual ought to be recognised, you can instead nominate them for an honour.

If someone is nominated for honorary silk who has been nominated for an honour this year or has already been honoured in the last year, it is very unlikely that we will be able to put their name forward.

How to make a nomination

We welcome nominations for honorary silk from anyone, no matter what your background. If you would like to suggest someone for appointment, please complete the Honorary QC nomination form (MS Word Document, 93.5KB) .

When completing the form please give as much detail as possible. The more we know about a nominee, the easier it is to assess whether they meet the honorary silk criteria. If we have only a limited amount of information about someone, it is unlikely that we will be able to recommend them for appointment. You can nominate as many people as you like, but please ensure that you keep their details separate.

You need to complete the nomination form and send it to us by 1 September 2017 preferably by email or alternatively post to:

Email: martin.marston-paterson@justice.gov.uk

Please note, we will only accept nominations which are submitted on the nomination form attached to this webpage. Letters of support for a candidate will not be accepted or attached to a nomination. In cases where more than one person wishes to nominate a single candidate, each individual must send in a separate form for the nominee. This gives a fuller representation of the candidate’s suitability for honorary silk.

Timing

Please ensure that your nominations reach us no later than 1 September 2017. Nominations made after this date cannot be accepted.

Contact us

If you would like additional information on honorary silk or how to make a nomination, please feel free to contact us by phone on 020 3334 0970, or by email: martin.marston-paterson@justice.gsi.gov.uk.

read more

The Environment Agency is reminding anglers of the importance of having a rod licence after two men were fined for fishing illegally in separate offences.

They were caught during targeted patrols on the River Derwent in Gateshead by Environment Agency Fisheries Enforcement Officers

On 28 March this year, Kyle Taylor-Allen, 30, of The Crescent, Dunston, Gateshead, was found coarse fishing at Swalwell without a licence.

He was also fishing during the close season, which is prohibited, and using illegal bait. He was fined a total of £770, ordered to pay costs of £127 and a victim surcharge or £30.

On 13 April this year, Peter Blackett, 53, of Waterbeach Place, Newcastle, was found fishing without a licence at Rowlands Gill.

He was also fishing during close season, using an illegal bait and he had taken and killed a fish while fishing without the landowner’s permission, an offence under the Theft Act.

The offences were all proved in absence at Gateshead Magistrates’ Court on 3 July.

‘It’s vital anglers abide by the law’

Fisheries Enforcement Officer David Shears said: “It’s vital that anglers abide by the law to protect the future of the sport and the quality of our rivers and fisheries.

“We work closely with our partners at the police, angling clubs and the Angling Trust to identify where illegal fishing might be taking place.

“Our fisheries enforcement officers work hard to target those people flouting the law and we won’t hesitate to take action.

“Illegal fishing can be more costly that you think and hopefully this will act as a deterrent for any angler thinking of cheating the system.”

The close season started on 15 March and runs for three months, preventing fishing for coarse fish to give the fish a chance to breed.

All income from rod licence sales is used to fund Environment Agency work to protect and improve fish stocks and fisheries, including improving habitats for fish and facilities for anglers, tackling illegal fishing and working with partners to encourage people to give fishing a go.

read more

Nasonex Allergy Control 0.05% Nasal Spray will soon be available to buy over the counter in pharmacies following a public consultation by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA). This nasal spray is used to treat the symptoms … read more

The billionth new £1 coin passed through the Royal Mint’s production line today, as Brits get ready to bid farewell to the old round pound.

Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury, Andrew Jones MP, paid a visit to the Royal Mint headquarters in Wales to officially mark the milestone and strike the billionth coin with the Queen’s head.

By mid-July there will be more new coins in circulation than old. People have already returned 800 million of the old coins, which entered circulation in 1983.

However, a new poll suggests one in three people still have old pound coins stashed away in savings jars and piggy banks. Therefore there is still work to do.

The Minister is today calling on the public to dig out these old coins before they lose their legal tender status on 15 October.

Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury, Andrew Jones MP, said:

We are here today to mark an important milestone, as the billionth new pound coin is struck.

This coin is the most secure of its kind in the world and was brought in to clamp down on the multi million pound cost of counterfeits.

In less than 100 days, the round pound will lose its legal status. So people need to spend, bank or donate them by 15 October.

CEO and Deputy Master of The Royal Mint, Adam Lawrence, said:

The Royal Mint is very proud to have delivered the new 12-sided one pound coin and ensuring a smooth transition is now our top priority.

Many of the old round pounds returned will be melted down to make the new coins so we’re asking everyone across the UK to make sure they check their coin jars and piggy banks for round pounds.

read more

Nominations are now open for The Sun Military Awards 2017. Members of the Armed Forces and the general public have until 3 Sept to put forward individuals and units for an award.

The awards were first held at Hampton Court Palace in 2008 and the 10th ceremony will take place for the first time at the historic Banqueting House, in Whitehall in Central London. The star-studded evening will be an opportunity for the public to recognise some of the excellent work and outstanding achievements of our Service personnel over the last year both overseas on operations and across the UK.

Over the years, the Millies have been attended by HRH The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall, The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry, along with senior politicians and celebrities from the worlds of entertainment and sport.

Following the success of a number of new award categories in 2016, the Millies will again include the Inspiring Others Award – honouring individuals in the Services and Cadet Forces who have inspired others to achieve more through their awe-inspiring example. The Award organisers are also asking for nominations in the Innovation Award category, which recognises firms or individuals who have developed game-changing or life-saving pieces of equipment. Last year’s winner was Trauma Simulation Ltd, a firm backed by the MOD that developed realistic, life-size models to help surgeons train on battle-casualty injuries.

Last year’s winner in the Hero at Home category was Sgt Adam Threlfall, Airborne Delivery Wing, who provided vital first aid to two fellow parachutists who became entangled in an uncontrolled descent, and Best Reservist Lieutenant Ruairi Holohan, who was honoured for helping migrants rescued from the Mediterranean by HMS Bulwark.

Defence Secretary Sir Michael Fallon said:

The Millies are a fantastic opportunity to demonstrate to the nation why we have the best Armed Forces in the world and show our heartfelt appreciation for all that they do. I would like to thank The Sun for hosting this event for the last 10 years to recognise the outstanding achievements of our brave Servicemen and women who help keep this country safe.

Chief of the Defence Staff Air Chief Marshal Sir Stuart Peach said:

Be it individuals or units, Reservists or Regulars, heroic acts or overcoming personal adversity, developing life-saving technology or inspiring others in their local community, this is your chance to nominate the Servicemen and women of the Armed Forces who serve on your behalf every day.

An awards ceremony will be held at Banqueting House, Westminster on 13 December. Do you know of an individual or unit that has performed with distinction between 1 Sept 2016 and 31 Aug 2017? This is your opportunity to give them the credit they deserve by visiting The Sun’s website. Nominations will close on 3 Sept 2017.

The Sun Military Awards categories are:

1. Hero at Home (Individual): Awarded to an individual from the Royal Navy, Army or RAF for an act of inspirational heroism inside the UK whether in the course of their work, outside of their work or on an operation. Nominees should include those who have truly gone above and beyond in a single act of bravery or dedication.

2. Heroes at Home (unit): Awarded to a unit from the Royal Navy, Army or RAF for an act or continued effort in the UK in the highest traditions of the Armed Forces. The unit can be of any size and nominees must have proved themselves on an enduring mission or single response which is worthy of national recognition.

3. Hero Overseas (individual): Awarded to an individual from the Royal Navy, Army or RAF for an act of inspirational heroism outside the UK in the course of their deployment. Nominees should include those who have truly gone above and beyond in a single act of bravery or dedication.

4. Heroes Overseas (unit): Awarded to a unit from the Royal Navy, Army or RAF for an act or continued effort in outside the UK in the highest traditions of the Armed Forces. The unit can be of any size and nominees must have proved themselves on an enduring mission or single response which is worthy of national recognition.

5. Best Reservist: Awarded to an individual Reservist from any branch of the Reserves for an act of bravery or exceptional service at home or abroad. Nominees should have gone above and beyond in their role as a committed reservist and be worthy of recognition for a single act of heroism, or for exceptional dedication.

6. Inspiring Others: A new award for 2016 honouring individuals from the Royal Navy, Army or RAF, but also the Cadet Forces including cadets and adult volunteers who, through their awe-inspiring example, have inspired others to go further and achieve more. Individuals could be nominated who have inspired others to greater heights in their work, but also outside their day job.

7. Overcoming Adversity: Awarded to an individual from the Royal Navy, Army or RAF who has overcome personal adversity in any area of their life. Traditionally this award had gone to those who have overcome injury in conflict, and while this category is still very much open to those who have beaten the odds to survive and thrive, it is also open to those who have overcome any kind of adversity, whether that be an underprivileged background, or disability, to go on to exceptional service.

8. Innovation Award: A new award for 2016 open to an individual or company of any size which has designed, developed and delivered a piece of life-saving or game-changing equipment that is transforming the work of our Armed Forces at home and abroad. This award is not restricted to a piece of kit but can be a system, scheme or employment programme that is a true innovation.

9. Support to the Armed Forces: Awarded to a civilian charity, group or company that has delivered unrivalled support to the Armed Forces community, to sustain and encourage them in any facet of military life, and life after service.

10. Judges’ Award: Awarded at the Judges’ discretion to any individual, group or unit, to honour exceptional service worthy of recognition.

read more