President's message

09/09/2022

The New South Wales Bar Association mourns the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and extends its sincere condolences to the members of her family.

For more than 70 years Her Majesty has performed her constitutional duties as Australia’s Head of State.

Her Majesty has been a bedrock of stability in our system of parliamentary democracy and for the rule of law throughout the Commonwealth. She has been a model of dedication, exemplified by her swearing-in of the new British prime minister only two days ago. There can be no better indication of her devotion to duty. Her Majesty’s seven decades of service were executed with enormous dignity, civility and grace. The NSW Bar joins the profession in mourning and offering condolences to our new King and the Royal Family.

Over the centuries, many ties have evolved between the Bar and the Monarchy, and nowhere is that more obvious than in the title of Queen’s Counsel or QC. Here in New South Wales, the last QCs were appointed in 1992. Since then they have been replaced by the title Senior Counsel or SC.

Upon the passing of Queen Elizabeth II and the accession of her son and heir, King Charles III, the designation of Queen’s Counsel or QC has changed to King’s Counsel or KC. Queen’s Counsel will from today be referred to as King’s Counsel and the post-nominals of QC are now KC.

The Chief Justice of the Federal Court and the Chief Justice of NSW have both confirmed that court will continue as normal today in the Federal Court and the Supreme Court. The Bar Association will continue to advise members should there be any developments throughout the day or in coming days.