The Ministry of Justice today announced the appointment of 113 new Queen's Counsel and 5 Honorary Queen's Counsel, which included Professor Graham Virgo.
Professor Virgo is a Fellow of Downing College, Professor of English Private Law, and a barrister and Academic Bencher of Lincoln's Inn, and has made a major contribution to English law in the growing area of the law of restitution. He has been foremost amongst the leading academic voices developing the subject, and has shaped the direction of the law of unjust enrichment, mistake and other related areas of restitution. Graham is highly regarded amongst academics, and widely recognised for his significant contribution to the teaching of law. His work is regularly cited in the English courts, including the Supreme Court, as well as other common law jurisdictions. Professor Virgo is also Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Education of the University.
QCs are appointed by The Queen, on the advice of the Lord Chancellor. She is in turn advised by an independent Selection Panel which receives and considers each application and makes recommendations as to appointment.
The Lord Chancellor will preside over the appointment ceremony, where the rank will formally be bestowed upon successful applicants, at Westminster Hall on 13 February 2017.
Responding to his appointment, Professor Virgo said:
"I am delighted to have been appointed Queen’s Counsel, honoris causa. The citation accompanying my appointment refers to my work on the law of restitution, but also pleasingly makes reference to my ‘significant contribution to the teaching of law’. Much of that teaching and my research and writing has been done in the Faculty of Law, as well as at Downing College, and, as well as being a personal recognition, is also a recognition of the excellent teaching, learning and research in law at the Faculty and throughout the collegiate university and of the support I have received from colleagues and students."