A Scottish roll of Queen's Counsel (QC) was first approved in 1897 and the first appointments were made later in that year. The rank of QC is generally reserved for experienced advocates and solicitors with rights of audience in the supreme courts who have distinguished themselves in practice. Appointments are made by letters patent as "Her Majesty's Counsel learned in the law" on the recommendation of the Lord Justice General to the First Minister. The Lord Justice General is Scotland's most senior judge and before making recommendations he consults other judges, the Lord Advocate, the Dean of the Faculty of Advocates and the President of the Law Society of Scotland. Recommendations are independently assessed.