Professor Richard Fentiman has been appointed as a Queen’s Counsel honoris causa. The names of this year’s new honorary and practising QCs were announced by the Ministry of Justice on 10 January 2019.

Richard Fentiman is Professor of Private International Law at the University of Cambridge and a Fellow of Queens’ College. The announcement highlighted his worldwide reputation as an authority on international litigation in the English courts, and his contribution to law reform, to the law’s development, and to promoting the understanding of English law internationally.

The rank of QC honoris causa is conferred by The Queen on the recommendation of the Lord Chancellor to lawyers who have made a ‘major contribution to the law of England and Wales outside practice in the courts’. Barristers and solicitors may be appointed as QCs in recognition of their excellence in advocacy. Since the late nineteenth century a small number of honorary QCs have also been appointed each year, often academic lawyers whose work has advanced the understanding of English law and influenced its development. 6 Honorary QCs were appointed this year in addition to 108 practising QCs.

The Lord Chancellor will preside over the appointment ceremony, where the rank will formally be bestowed upon successful applicants, at Westminster Hall on 11 March 2019.

I am extremely honoured to become an Honorary QC and to follow in the long line of Cambridge scholars who have been similarly recognised for their contribution to the law in practiceRichard Fentiman

Responding to his appointment, Professor Fentiman said:

“The important role of academic lawyers in shaping the law has always been prized at Cambridge. I am extremely honoured to become an Honorary QC and to follow in the long line of Cambridge scholars who have been similarly recognised for their contribution to the law in practice.”