What does it mean to take silk in Ireland?

Asked by: Dr. Warren Bartoletti  |  Last update: September 2, 2025
Score: 4.3/5 (49 votes)

After about 10 to 15 years of practising as a Junior Counsel, a barrister may apply to become a Senior Counsel. This is sometimes called "taking silk" because the Senior Counsel's gown was traditionally made of silk. A Senior Counsel may have the letters SC after their name.

What does it mean for a British lawyer to get silk?

A Silk in the British legal system is a lawyer or barrister of high rank appointed by the queen or king to honorific title recognized by the court system to work in the name of the monarchy. The term originates from the silk garment worn by the person that assumes this position.

Why is it called taking silk?

Becoming a King's Counsel, previously a 'Queen's Counsel' during the reign of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, is known as 'taking silk' or becoming a 'silk lawyer' due to the silk gowns that King's Counsel wear in court, as opposed to the wool gowns worn by junior barristers.

What is a silk ceremony?

Silks day involves a ceremony at Westminster before The Lord Chancellor and another at the Royal Courts of Justice before The Lord Chief Justice and all the presiders. You are asked “do you move” and you do – to the front row – and to the beginning of a new stage of your career.

How many years does it take to become a barrister in Ireland?

To practice as a Barrister in Ireland you need to complete the Barrister-at-Law degree at King's Inns. It is a one-year full-time, or two year part-time degree and admission is by an entrance examination, which you can do if you have a law degree.

Applying to take silk? What to consider when applying for QC status

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Who is the highest paid Barrister in Ireland?

Top 10 Barristers
  • Michael Bowman SC €772,911.
  • Keith Spencer BL €765,954.
  • Dominic Stuart McGinn SC €486,183.
  • Seamus Clarke SC €481,228.
  • Colman Cody SC €445,020.
  • Padraig Dwyer SC €439,284.
  • Colm Smyth SC €390,949.
  • Mark Nicolas SC €360,737.

Do you have to speak Irish to be a lawyer in Ireland?

This must include Irish, English, another language and any three other subjects. All lawyers in Ireland will need a qualifying law degree (LLB) from an Irish or UK university which meet the requirements as set out by the King's Inns or Law Society of Ireland.

What does getting your silk mean?

A silk also known as a QC is a very senior barrister and it's basically when you've got to a senior part of your career you've done a lot of very big cases perhaps gone to the Court of Appeal or the Supreme Court you've got to the position where you can apply to a committee and sort of get this stamp to say that you ...

What is silk and how does it work?

Comprised of a natural protein fiber, silk mainly consists of fibroin, which is a protein that certain types of insect larvae secrete to make cocoons. While other insects also produce silk-like substances, most of the world's silk is derived from Bombyx mori larvae, which are worms that only live on mulberry trees.

How many silks are there?

Three other commercially important types fall into the category of non-mulberry silks namely: Eri silk; Tasar silk; and Muga silk. There are also other types of non-mulberry silk, which are mostly wild and exploited in Africa and Asia, are Anaphe silk, Fagara silk, Coan silk, Mussel silk and Spider silk.

What is the difference between a barrister and a solicitor?

Barristers are specialists in advocacy, wearing wigs and gowns whilst representing clients in higher courts. Whilst solicitors handle day-to-day legal work, barristers are typically brought in for complex court proceedings and specialist opinions.

What does it mean to take the silk?

As members wear silk gowns of a particular design, appointment as King's Counsel is known informally as taking silk and KCs are often colloquially called silks. Appointments are made from within the legal profession on the basis of merit and not a particular level of experience.

Why was silk banned?

The Roman Senate tried in vain to prohibit the wearing of silk, for economic reasons as well as moral ones. The import of Chinese silk resulted in vast amounts of gold leaving Rome, to such an extent that silk clothing was perceived as a sign of decadence and immorality.

What does take silk mean in the UK?

To achieve this status, a barrister must have practised law for ten years and be recommended by the Lord Chancellor. Being appointed as King's Counsel is sometimes referred to as 'taking silk' due to members wearing a particular silk gown, and is perceived as an excellent honour to achieve in a barrister's career.

What does a barrister do in Ireland?

A barrister (also called "counsel") is a type of lawyer who specialises in court advocacy and giving legal opinions. There are two levels of barrister – junior and senior counsel. Barristers generally wear white collars and a black gown in most courts.

Do you have to wear a wig as a lawyer in England?

They are also no longer required in the UK Supreme Court. However, wigs are still a requirement for criminal trials in the UK and, whilst the requirement of wigs in the courtroom seems to be in decline around the world, many law practitioners in the UK still take pride in wearing them.

Can silk be made without killing silkworms?

Ahimsa Silk, also known as peace silk, cruelty-free silk and non-violent silk, refers to any type of silk that is produced without harming or killing the silk worms. (It is also, erroneously, called vegan silk. As an animal product, however, it is not vegan.)

Is mulberry silk made from worms?

Mulberry silk is made from the silkworms of the Bombyx mori moth. The moth's one and only job is to lay the eggs. These pinpoint sized eggs are then kept at 65 degrees fahrenheit until they hatch into tiny silkworms. These are then fed an extremely exclusive diet of mulberry leaves 24 hours a day 7 days a week.

What is the best silk in the world?

Mulberry silk has been recognised the world over as the best quality of silk. The production involves silk worms feeding on the leaves of the Mulberry tree. The best-known silk is obtained from the cocoons of the larvae of the Mulberry silk worm Bombyx mori.

How much do barristers earn in the UK?

Self-employed barristers with more than ten years' experience earn between £100,000 to £300,000 depending on their area of practice. A small percentage of barristers at the top end of the profession earn between £500,000 to £1million. Employed barristers can expect to earn from £90,000 to in excess of £150,000.

What does silk mean in slang?

Someone "being silky" would mean that they that are silk-like somehow, such as being flawless, smooth, or seductive/persuasive. In slang the meaning can be stretched to something that "goes with the grain" (i.e. smoothly fitting in — someone could be silky if they adhere to mainstream culture).

Why are British lawyers called barristers?

Barristers are basically lawyers who take cases to trial, and the only kind authorized to work in Britain's High Courts. The word originated in the organization of medieval law schools, which had a physical bar that separated novice students from lecturers and more advanced students.

What are Irish lawyers called?

Lawyers in Ireland, like England, are di- vided into two distinct divisions, solicitors and barristers.

Can a Canadian lawyer work in Ireland?

Qualified Lawyers Transfer Test (QLTT)

The QLTT is a conversion test which enables lawyers qualified in certain countries outside the Republic of Ireland to qualify as solicitors in this jurisdiction. There are two exam sittings of the test each year in Dublin.

How many years does it take to become a lawyer in Ireland?

To become a solicitor, you must complete an apprenticeship of at least 2 years and you must pass exams set by the Law Society at Blackhall Place in Dublin. You can read about how to become a solicitor on the Law Society website.