Honorary King’s Counsel nominations: deadline 18 September 2026

The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) has opened a call for nominations for the King’s Counsel Honoris Causa, an honorary award granted under royal prerogative to lawyers and legal academics who have made a major impact on the law of England and Wales or the legal profession beyond courtroom advocacy. Nominations must be submitted via a digital form by 11:55pm on 18 September 2026. The award is distinct from substantive King’s Counsel appointments, which focus on excellence in courtroom advocacy, and does not confer a working rank or title. The MoJ emphasizes that the award recognizes significant, positive influence rather than length of service, with impact assessed over any timeframe if the scale is substantial.

Eligibility extends to qualified lawyers and legal academics, including those practising or non-practising, in-house, public service, regulation, or academia, as well as foreign-qualified professionals and those based overseas. Holding judicial office does not automatically disqualify candidates, provided they meet the criteria. Nominees may contribute to any area of law or the legal profession broadly, but the award excludes those whose primary impact lies outside the legal field, who may instead be considered for the main UK honours system.

The selection process involves a panel of legal professionals, civil servants, judges, and academics, chaired by an MoJ official, which shortlists candidates for the Lord Chancellor’s review. The Lord Chancellor makes the final recommendations, which are then submitted to His Majesty the King for approval under the royal prerogative. Nominators are encouraged to demonstrate clear evidence of the nominee’s significant, positive impact, supported by case studies of past recipients to guide broader consideration of diverse backgrounds and career paths.

The MoJ administers the process and uses the information provided in nominations to assess suitability, adhering to data protection standards outlined in its privacy notice. The award aims to reflect the diversity of the legal profession and legal academia, with no residency or nationality restrictions. Further guidance on submitting a strong nomination is available in the nomination form, which also clarifies the distinction between this honorary title and substantive King’s Counsel roles.