Barristers are divided into Queen's Counsel and Junior Counsel.  When a Barrister becomes a QC, he is said to 'take silk', from the silk gown he wears.

The letters QC are placed after the name of Queen's Counsel while they are at the Bar, or after appointment to the Circuit Bench.  They are not used, however, after the names of High Court Judges or persons holding other higher legal appointments.

Those who were appointed King's Counsel changed the letters KC to QC at the beginning of the present reign.

Barristers are no longer termed 'Barrister-at-law' but 'Barrister' on the direction of the Bar Council.

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