BARRISTER ELEVATED TO KING’S COUNSEL IN CITY FIRST
IN WHAT is believed to be another first for the Garden City, a Toowoomba barrister has been elevated to that of King’s Counsel.
David Jones KC joined five other Toowoomba-based barristers in 2019 to form the Queen’s Arms Chambers in Ruthven Street near the Margaret Street intersection, the city’s first dedicated chamber group for barristers.
The chambers took its name from the original hotel which stood in its place many years ago.
Mr Jones shares chambers with five other barristers including his wife Jessica Goldie, Frank Martin, Steve Kissick, Wesley Seewald and Jens Streit.
Now, Mr Jones has been appointed King’s Counsel, or “taking silk”, also a first for a Toowoomba-based lawyer.
King’s Counsel (KC) and Senior Counsel (SC) comprise only about 10 per cent of the practising bar because the appointment of a barrister as KC or SC was only made after years of outstanding practice and on the basis of his or her superior experience, learning, seniority and standing as an advocate. The appointment of a KC or SC was an exhausting process and the application goes to a number of the state’s leading legal minds before approval was given.
In the past, barristers were appointed as Queen’s Counsel but with the passing of her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, Queen’s Counsel post nominals for all practising barristers became King’s Counsel.
All appointments moving forward will be of King’s Counsel. The title of KC entitles Mr Jones to wear the “full silk” gown when appearing in court and also a longer wig which is worn primarily for ceremonial occasions.