Press Release
Press Release of The Monarchist League of New Zealand Inc
26th January 2003
It will no doubt come as a surprise to most people to learn that the New Zealand Cabinet decided on the 22nd of March and the 13th of June 2002 that the title of Queen's Counsel (QC) will be replaced by Senior Counsel (SC). Existing Queen's Counsel will have the option to retain their title. The newly renamed SC will continue to be appointed, like QCs, by the Governor-General on the recommendation of the Attorney-General with the concurrence of the Chief Justice. A new advisory panel may be convened to advise the Attorney-General.
This is reported in the August 2002 Crown Law Office briefing to the Attorney-General. There was nothing reported in the media about this change at the time the decisions were made. Indeed, there seems to have been no press release or other public announcement. Perhaps the Government didn't want to invite criticism in the lead-up to an election. For there can be no justification for a change in title. The sole reason must be a wish to remove all references to the monarchy.
Dr Noel Cox
Chairman