The Northern Circuit sends its congratulations to those Circuiteers who were recently elevated to Silk under the new appointments system (announced on 20 July 2006). They are:

Lesley Anderson, Louise Blackwell, Nicholas Clarke, Gordon Cole, Anthony Cross, Paul Gilroy, Tania Griffiths, Gillian Irving, Nicholas Johnson, Andrew O'Byrne, Richard Pratt, James Rowley, Sarah Singleton and Will Waldron.

Queen's Counsel has always been a sign of the highest quality. The new appointments system seeks to maintain and recognise those high standards, as well as ensure that the opportunity to take Silk is open to all of the necessary ability. The application process includes taking references from a much wider range of sources than has been the case in the past, and only from those with a direct working experience of the candidate.

In line with the national trend, a number of women are amongst those appointed, and altogether, given the number of Circuiteers awarded Silk, the Northern Circuit can be confident in the quality of its advice and advocacy skills generally.

Further information on the appointment system is available on the Queen's Counsel Applications website.