Attorney General kick-starts competition for London A, B and C panels for civil work

“Membership of the London panels is open to both barristers and solicitors with the appropriate qualifications,” the Attorney General’s Office said.

The contracts are due to start on 1 September 2019 and run until 31 August 2024.

The Attorney General’s panels of counsel consist of just over 400 junior counsel who undertake civil and EU work for all government departments. The system is made up of London Panels, Regional Panels and Public International Law Panels, each set up as follows according to the Attorney General’s Office:

A panel – “deals with the most complex government cases in all kinds of courts and tribunals. Members will often appear against QCs. In general, those appointed to the A panel will have over 10 years’ advocacy experience.”

B panel – “deals with substantial cases but not in general as complex as those handled by the A panel. Members will generally be instructed where knowledge and experience of a particular field is required. B panel applicants will generally have between 5 and 10 years’ advocacy experience but those with more experience can also apply.”

C panel – “members will generally have between 2 and 5 years’ advocacy experience but those with more experience can apply. Those appointed to the C panel will often (but not always) become the A and B panel members of the future and so will be expected to show the potential to join the A panel.” Thirty new appointments were made in 2019 to this panel.

The next Regional A, B and C Panel competitions will open in 2019.

All government departments and agencies of government departments must use the panels.