Twelve women are among 34 members of the Bar of Northern Ireland who have been appointed as King’s Counsel (KC).
In the first call since the Covid-19 pandemic, it marks a three-fold increase in the number of females represented during the last set of appointments in February 2020.
Otherwise known as taking silk, the title of KC is awarded to those who have demonstrated particular skill and expertise in the conduct of advocacy.
The advocates were appointed on the basis of a “rigorous and objective selection process”, which took place at the end of last year.
The appointment of the new KCs was approved by Justice Minister Naomi Long MLA shortly after the restoration of the Executive.
Female representation on the rise as 34 barristers were called as King Counsel in Belfast earlier today. @Justice_NI Minister Naomi Long attended the silk call & shared in what was a momentous day in the career of our skilled, dedicated advocates & their families. pic.twitter.com/k4NCSxjwLs
— Bar of NI (@TheBarofNI) February 23, 2024
The Bar of Northern Ireland said that the “depth of expertise of the 34 new KCs is considerable” with their combined areas of specialist practice ranging from criminal law, family law to many disciplines within the civil law sphere.
Moira Smyth KC, chair of the Bar of NI, said the new King’s Counsel will “serve the public, without fear and favour and draw on their considerable experience of the law, advocacy and litigation to represent the best interests of their clients and the administration of justice”.
“They will apply their skills and expertise in the most serious or complex of cases, ensuring access to justice for all and contributing to an efficient and effective justice system,” she said.
“In a fast-paced, modern legal world, the King’s Counsel title is a strong indication of excellence and offers a reliable mark of quality.”
She added that she was “particularly pleased to see 12 new female KCs take silk”.
“The Bar Council has made a concerted effort to promote diversity at the Bar and support our female practitioners as they serve the public interest in the most challenging of legal matters whilst also navigating the challenges of self-employment,” she said.
“The call to the Senior Bar is momentous occasion for all 34 new KCs and their families.
“I offer my congratulations to them all and wish them well in future practice.”
Among those appointed was Sinead O Flaherty, who specialises in family law.
She celebrated with her family, which included her five children Olivia (13), Stephen Og (11), Pauric (10), Alana (7) and Niall Oisin (4).
She told The Irish News that she believed it was “vitally important for other women to know that it is possible to work in law and have a family”.
She said it was “definitely hard, but not impossible”.
