Brit. Law.
1. a body of barristers of a higher status who are specially appointed to be the crown's counsel, and who are permitted to plead inside the bar in the court.
2. a member of this body of barristers.
3. an honorary title conferred on a successful barrister when the sovereign is a king, originally for services in representing the crown but now as a mark of professional distinction. Also called, when a queen is sovereign, Queen's Counsel .