About Specialist Accreditation
Specialist Accreditation is the profession's recognised benchmark for specialist expertise in a particular area of law. It recognises solicitors who can demonstrate advanced knowledge, substantial experience, and a high level of professional competence.
Accreditation is recognition of your expertise in your area of practice. It can enhance professional credibility, provide market differentiation, strengthen client confidence and recognise your commitment to excellence and ongoing professional learning.
Yes. The Specialist Accreditation Scheme operates nationally and many areas of accreditation are subject to mutual recognition arrangements between Australian law societies, subject to eligibility requirements.
Eligibility
Please see Part 2 of the Specialist Accreditation Handbook.
To apply, you must generally:
- hold a current practising certificate (or be eligible under the government lawyer provisions);
- be a full or Associate member of the Queensland Law Society;
- have at least five years' post-admission legal practice experience; and
- demonstrate substantial involvement in the relevant area of law for at least the preceding three years.
Applicants must have at least five years' post-admission experience by 1 January of the relevant program year. Pre-admission experience cannot be counted towards this requirement.
Possibly. The Board may consider discretionary applications in certain circumstances, including parental leave or other extenuating circumstances affecting eligibility requirements.
Yes, government legal officers may apply if they meet the eligibility requirements for the program.
Preparing to Apply
Specialist Accreditation is designed for experienced practitioners who are already practising at a specialist level and are looking to formally demonstrate their expertise. Before applying, consider whether this is the right time for you to undertake a rigorous assessment program, taking into account your professional workload, personal commitments and capacity to prepare. While many practitioners meet the eligibility requirements, the most successful candidates apply at a point in their career when they can fully commit to the process.
Eligibility and readiness are not the same thing.
Successful candidates typically have significant experience in their area of practice, regularly manage complex or challenging matters, and can demonstrate a depth of knowledge and professional judgment beyond day-to-day practice across the competencies outlined in the Assessment Guidelines.
Specialist Accreditation does require a commitment of time and effort. While there is no prescribed number of study hours, candidates should expect to spend a substantial amount of time preparing for assessments, including reviewing the Assessment Guidelines, refreshing and expanding their knowledge, and completing assessment tasks. The amount of preparation required will vary depending on your experience, current practice and existing expertise in the assessment topics. Applicants should ensure they can realistically balance preparation with their work and personal commitments.
Specialist Accreditation is not a taught course. The Assessment Guidelines identify the knowledge and professional practice skills that may be assessed and should be used to guide preparation. Candidates are responsible for their own study and preparation. Some areas may also offer optional workshops or study groups.
Applications
Applications must be submitted using the prescribed application form, together with the required supporting documentation and referee reports. Application details are available at Apply for Specialist Accreditation - Queensland Law Society.
Program dates are published within the Assessment Guidelines for the relevant area of accreditation.
Yes. All applications must include three referee reports from suitably qualified referees who can comment on your professional experience and suitability for the program.
Please refer to section 2.4. of the Specialist Accreditation Handbook.
Referees must generally:
- have known you professionally for at least three years;
- be an Australian legal practitioner, government legal officer, judicial officer or tribunal member;
- have at least five years' legal practice experience; and
- meet the criteria outlined in the Specialist Accreditation Handbook.
At least one referee must practise in the area of accreditation.
Yes. Referees may be from another Australian jurisdiction provided they meet the eligibility requirements.
After your application has been received and reviewed, Queensland Law Society will issue an invoice to the email address nominated in your application.
Application fees, program fees and accreditation fees are published on the Queensland Law Society website and may change from year to year. Please click on the following link to view our QLS fees.
Assessment
Programs include three assessment components:
- a take-home assessment;
- an oral assessment; and
- a written examination.
Assessment formats vary between accreditation areas but are designed to evaluate both technical legal knowledge and practical professional skills.
- Take-Home Assessment - The Take-Home Assessment is released through Queensland Law Society's online Learning Management System, Canvas. Candidates are typically provided with a period of three weeks to complete and submit this assessment.
- Oral Assessment - The Oral Assessment format varies between areas of accreditation. It could be for example, a simulated client interview conducted online, or a mock hearing conducted in person in front of a member of the judiciary.
- Written Examination - The Written Examination is conducted online. Candidates complete the examination remotely under examination conditions.
Please note: Further information regarding assessment requirements, dates, technology requirements, and examination conditions will be provided to successful applicants upon commencement of the program.
The program timeline is outlined in the relevant Assessment Guideline located at Apply for Specialist Accreditation - Queensland Law Society
Yes. Candidates must meet the required standard in every assessment component to achieve accreditation.
No. Candidates are assessed against the required standard for accreditation, not against each other.
Candidates who do not meet the standard in only one assessment task may apply for re-assessment of that task, subject to the requirements in the Handbook.
Yes. Unsuccessful candidates may apply in a future program year, provided they continue to meet the eligibility requirements.
There is no overall limit on the number of attempts. However, candidates who are unsuccessful on three consecutive attempts may be subject to a temporary exclusion period before reapplying.
After Accreditation
Accredited Specialists must:
- maintain membership eligibility;
- continue practising in the specialty area;
- complete annual CPD requirements; and
- comply with the Specialist Accreditation Handbook.
Accredited Specialists must complete 15 CPD points annually, including at least 10 CPD points in their area of accreditation.
Yes. To maintain accreditation, Accredited Specialists must continue to practise in their accredited area for at least 25% of full-time equivalent practice, subject to approved exceptions such as certain leave arrangements.
General
Yes, you can hold a maximum of two accreditations simultaneously to maintain high standards in your areas of expertise.
Accredited Specialists can express interest in joining these committees. Contact the QLS Specialist Accreditation Team at spec@qls.com.au to express your interest.
Yes, through the national Mutual Recognition Policy. Contact the QLS Specialist Accreditation Team at spec@qls.com.au to assist with the process in lodging your request.
Contact the QLS Specialist Accreditation Team at spec@qls.com.au and refer to clause 4.4 of the Specialist Accreditation Scheme Handbook for details.
Apply annually for discretion from the Specialist Accreditation Board as per clause 4.9 of the Specialist Accreditation Handbook and have your submission emailed to spec@qls.com.au for processing.
Contact the QLS Specialist Accreditation Team at spec@qls.com.au to assist with providing the relevant logos specific to your area of accreditation.