Samuels's lawyers, QCs Churchill Neita and Delano Harrison, said an application for a judicial review had a "realistic chance of success".

BBC: Suspended Samuels set to appeal

As lord chancellor, Lord Irvine is responsible for appointing QCs and judges.

BBC: Lord Irvine: A 'blunder' too far?

And the people here even though they might look a bit scruffy in these gardening outfits, underneath you can find lawyers, QCs, anyone.

BBC: Digging for Victory

The Homicide Review Advisory Group, made up of judges, academics and former QCs, says the system does not allow for sentences to match individual crimes.

BBC: Murder: Life sentence unjust, says lawyers' group

This is because one of the QCs who delivered that opinion is the crossbench peer Lord Pannick, who's increasingly influential in swinging the crossbench vote for or against a particular clause of a bill.

BBC: Week ahead