Queen's Counsel (
postnominal QC) are particularly eminent
lawyers (mostly
barristers) appointed by
letters patent to be one of
Her Majesty's Counsel learned in the law (The office is known as a
King's Counsel (
postnominal KC) during the reign of a
king). It is also recognised as a honorific. Membership exists in various
Commonwealth jurisdictions around the world, while in some other jurisdictions the name has been replaced by one without monarchical connotations, such as "
Senior Counsel" or "Senior Advocate". Queen's Counsel is a
status, conferred by
the Crown, that is recognised by
courts. Members have the privilege of sitting within the
Bar of court.