The chair of the House of Commons justice select committee has been made an honorary King's counsel, the government has announced. Barrister Sir Bob Neill MP is one of five people to be appointed honorary King’s Counsel (KC Honoris Causa) in the annual list.
The Ministry of Justice said Neill, Conservative MP for Bromley and Chislehurst since 2006, was nominated for his leadership of the select committee, including his contributions in upholding the rule of law and as an advocate for the judiciary and legal profession.
Neill, who studied law at the London School of Economics and practised as a barrister specialising in criminal law, has chaired the committee since 2015.
The committee examines the policies and spending of the Ministry of Justice and associated public bodies. This includes courts, legal aid, prisons, probation, and the rule of law. The committee also advises on sentencing guidelines.
Neill posted on social media site X: 'Delighted and honoured to being appointed honorary KC. Especially thrilled that this recognises the work of the [House of Commons justice select committee]. Grateful for the support I get from fellow members of staff and my friends and colleagues in the law, especially all at 2 Bedford Row.'
Honorary KCs are awarded by the king on the advice of the lord chancellor, who is advised by representatives from the legal profession, civil service, judiciary and academia.
Neill was one of five honorary KCs announced this year along with the 95 lawyers been appointed KC. For the second year running, only one solicitor appears in the list.
The other honorary KCs are: EU law specialist Professor Anthony Arnull; Professor Norman Doe, director of the centre for law and religion, Cardiff Law School; Michael Meyer, head of international law at the British Red Cross, and human rights specialist Professor Fionnuala Ní Aoláin of Queen’s University Belfast.
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