The Law Society and Bar Council have appointed Sir Duncan Nichol to review the operation of the Queen’s Counsel (QC) appointments system, three years after its introduction.

The independent selection panel, developed by the two professions, replaced a process run by the former Department for Constitutional Affairs which was criticised for lack of transparency.

Candidates are now assessed against a set of competency standards and must provide references to the selection panel, which comprises lay and professional members, who interview them before making recommendations to the Lord Chancellor.

The panel is considering applications in the third competition to be run under the new scheme. Successful candidates will be notified early next year.

Law Society President Paul Marsh described the new independent process as ‘infinitely better than the old secret soundings’.

But he said the QC mark did not necessarily reflect excellence beyond verbal advocacy in the high court. ‘Perhaps the work of a chancery barrister in drafting written submissions or the work of an M&A solicitor in structuring a complex transaction might better be considered in the process,’ he said.

The Law Society is seeking views from the profession through an online survey running until 27 November.