The former chairman of Leo Baeck College has been appointed an honorary Queen’s Counsel.

Professor Graham Zellick will make the declaration and receive the letters patent of appointment from the Lord Chancellor at a ceremony at Westminster Hall on March 22.

The rare award of Honorary Silk is made by the Queen and recognises lawyers who have “made a major contribution to the law of England and Wales outside practice courts”.

Prof Zellick said: “You do not get notice of it and you cannot apply so it comes as a great surprise. I’m very proud.

“They sent a letter in January asking if the proposal is acceptable – similar to the honours list. You get asked before it is signed off by the Queen.”

Prof Zellick is currently President of the Valuation Tribunal for England and a former chairman of the Criminal Cases Review Commission and vice-chancellor of the University of London.

The former president of West London (Reform) Synagogue is a bencher of the Middle Temple and was last year made CBE for services to the administration of justice.