In 2003, appointments to Queen's Counsel (QC) were suspended and expected to stop altogether as part of major reforms to the UK legal system.
Critics argued that the QC system was effective in combatting discrimination and that it provided a way for clients to differentiate between lawyers.
All appointments to silk are the de facto responsibility of the panel, which passes a list of appointees to the Lord Chancellor who then officially advises the Monarch.
Once the monarch formally approves the candidates, letters patent are drawn up and appointees are entitled to refer to themselves with the postnominal "KC" and enjoy the professional advantages of the post.
Applicants are judged based on the evidence submitted including their references, interview performance, ability and results attained in complex and important cases and key competencies.