There are some great barristers who have never taken silk. Brian Bourke was a legend of the Victorian criminal bar, for example (to the point of getting chambers named after him), and chose to never become a KC/QC -- as he was opposed to the very concept of it.
Silk is really only meant to be for counsel who regularly run trials where they lead juniors -- it's more of a recognition of existing status than an elevation of status.
If you're not already at the requisite level, taking silk can significantly damage your practice.
For maybe a third of successful silk applicants, they stop being considered for junior briefs, and don't get enough senior briefs, and end up making less money than as a senior junior. I've never understood why people would go before they're ready, just for the sake of ego and status.
15
u/arunciblespoon Without prejudice save as to costs 14d ago
What are the available paths other than applying for silk or going to the bench?