Queen's Counsel (postnominal QC) - known as King's Counsel (KC) during the reign of a male sovereign - are lawyers appointed by letters patent to be one of "Her [or His] Majesty's Counsel learned in the law". Membership exists in various Commonwealth countries around the world and it is a status, conferred by the Crown, that is recognised by courts. Members have the privilege of sitting within the Bar of court.

As members wear silk gowns of a particular design (see Court dress), the award of Queen's or King's Counsel is known informally as "taking silk". In order to qualify, a lawyer usually has to serve as a barrister (or, in Scotland, as an advocate) for at least ten years . More recently, solicitors have also been appointed.