Ministers consider scrapping QCs' perks

Proposals to strip Queen's Counsel of their ancient privileges, which include wearing distinctive legal dress and the right to sit at the front of the court, are being considered by ministers.

The plan is part of a move towards an "equality of arms" between solicitors and barristers which was first proposed by the Office of Fair Trading in its review of the legal profession two years ago.

The Lord Chancellor's Department has been told by the Law Society of England and Wales, which represents 100,000 solicitors, that the QC system should be reformed to reflect the needs of the consumer.

The Law Society says "excessive deference" paid to QCs, lawyers who are appointed to the senior rank of Silk, causes "anti-competitive distortions". It calls for the end of ministers' role in the appointment of QCs and a more transparent selection criteria.

The future of the QC system is a matter for the Lord Chancellor, Lord Irvine of Lairg, who is considering a number of proposals including a system of continuous assessment of QCs to ensure they achieve acceptable standards of practice.