Honorary King’s Counsel nominations now open

The Ministry of Justice has officially opened the nominations for the prestigious Honorary King’s Counsel Honoris Causa award, inviting submissions until 11:55pm on 18 September 2026. This honorary accolade is designed to recognise the significant contributions made by lawyers and legal academics to the law of England and Wales, particularly those achievements that occur outside the courtroom. Nominations are encouraged via an online form accessible through the Ministry's website.

The Honorary KC award is unique within the legal profession, highlighting individuals whose work has positively reshaped legal frameworks or advanced the profession. According to the Ministry of Justice, "What is most important is that nominations clearly evidence the significant, positive impact an individual’s efforts have had." This award is not a recognition of long service but rather celebrates impactful contributions, whether recently or over an extended period.

The award is open to a broad range of qualified legal professionals including solicitors, barristers, and even foreign-qualified practitioners, as well as legal academics regardless of their geographical location. Their work may encompass influencing legislation, innovating within legal spheres, or making significant contributions to legal education. The Ministry underscores the desire for diversity in nominations, encouraging submissions that reflect varied backgrounds and experiences.

The nomination process will be overseen by a panel made up of members from various sectors of the legal profession, civil service, and academia. Their responsibilities include reviewing nominations, conducting due diligence checks, and ultimately presenting a shortlist to the Lord Chancellor for final considerations. An important aspect of this process is ensuring that nominees have not been practising advocates in the last two years, helping to maintain clarity between Honorary KCs and substantive King’s Counsel appointments, which honour excellence in courtroom advocacy.

To assist potential nominators, the Ministry of Justice will host informative webinars leading up to the submission deadline. These sessions will cover the nomination process thoroughly, answering questions from those interested in nominating deserving candidates. Individuals interested in participating can register via email for one of the scheduled webinars planned for late July and early September 2026.

While the deadline is set for 18 September 2026, potential nominators are encouraged to submit their applications well ahead of time to ensure consideration. Missed submissions will not be accepted as per the strict guidelines of the nomination process.