King's Counsel

King's Counsel, barristers appointed counsel to the Crown, and called within the Bar. They answer in some measure to the advocates of the revenue, advocati fisci, among the Romans. They must not be employed against the Crown without special licence, which is not refused unless the Crown desires to be represented by the individual in the case. Each King's Counsel had a small salary, but it is not so now. Under 13 & 14 Vict. c. 25 (repealed by (English) Stat. Law Rev. Act, 1875), they might act as judges of assize when named in the commission, and may, and often do, act as such judges, as being 'persons usually named in the commission' under s. 29 of the (English) Jud. Act, 1873, and being expressly authorised so to be named by s. 37 of that Act. See now (English) Judicature Act, 1925, s. 70; see ADVOCATES, FACULTY OF.