Treasury solicitor Jonathan Jones is to become an Honorary Queen's Counsel in recognition of his “critical personal role” in advising the government in the “exceptional circumstances” of Brexit.
Jones, who is also permanent secretary of the Government Legal Department, is one of just six lawyers to be conferred with the honorary title in the latest batch of professionals to be elevated to the rank of QC because of their “particular skill and expertise”.
A total of 108 barristers and solicitors who practice in court are to be come QCs when the appointments are formalised at a ceremony in March that will be presided over by justice secretary and Lord Chancellor David Gauke.
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Joining them will be Jones and five legal academics, including Prof Thomas Glyn Watkin – who was the Welsh Government’s First Welsh Legislative Counsel from 2007-10 – who will be conferred with the title of Honorary QC.
Gauke offered his congratulations to all the lawyers set to have their contribution to the profession honoured.
“The award of the title of Queen’s Counsel is a recognition of depth of expertise and eminence in their fields,” he said. “It is this expertise that gives the English legal system its world-leading reputation.”
In its citation for Jones, the Ministry of Justice said he had brought together all government legal teams to establish a “unique legal shared service” for the Government Legal Department.
“He has played a critical personal role in providing legal advice to the government under the exceptional circumstances of Brexit,” it said.
“He has also demonstrated great drive to improve diversity and inclusion, both within the GLD; across the wider civil service as its most senior Health & Wellbeing champion, where he has championed initiatives to improve the working lives of all civil servants; and in the legal profession, where he plays an active role in legal training for new barristers.
“He also contributes to the education of barristers in his role as a Bencher of his Inn.”
Jones took up his role as Treasury Solicitor in March 2014, and became perm sec of the GLD’s predecessor the Treasury Solicitior’s Departmemt – or TSol – at the same time.
He was previously director general of the Home Office Legal Adviser’s Branch and before that Deputy Treasury Solicitor. His inn is Middle Temple.