Queen's Counsel (postnominal QC) are particularly eminent lawyers (mostly barristers) appointed by letters patent to be one of Her Majesty's Counsel learned in the law (The office is known as a King's Counsel (postnominal KC) during the reign of a king). It is also recognised as a honorific. Membership exists in various Commonwealth jurisdictions around the world, while in some other jurisdictions the name has been replaced by one without monarchical connotations, such as "Senior Counsel" or "Senior Advocate". Queen's Counsel is a status, conferred by the Crown, that is recognised by courts. Members have the privilege of sitting within the Bar of court.