Specialist Accreditation

The Specialist Accreditation Scheme operates nationally, and provides  a national benchmark for recognising specialist expertise in various areas of law.

What is a specialist  accreditation program? 

QLS Specialist Accreditation programs  are intended to promote and recognise the professional advancement of solicitors in Queensland who demonstrate enhanced skills, superior knowledge, significant experience and a high proficiency in established legal speciality areas. The high standard required by the programs ensures that recognition is meaningful and represents a mark of excellence for those who are Accredited Specialists. 

Requirements of an accredited specialist

Accreditation is ongoing.  It requires an ongoing commitment to learning – accredited specialists are required to complete 15 points of CPD annually, 10 of which need to be in your area of accreditation.  Specialist accreditation also requires an ongoing adherence to the eligibility requirements – the most important one being that you continue to practice in your area of speciality at least 2.5 days per fortnight regardless of whether you work part-time or full-time. 

Areas of accreditation

Queensland Law Society currently recognises 10 areas of speciality:

QLS does not currently offer specialist accreditation programs in the areas of Immigration law or Taxation law. As these are nationally based programs,  Queensland practitioners can apply and complete these programs through either the Law Society of New South Wales and/or the Law Institute of Victoria and if successful seek mutual recognition in Queensland from the QLS Specialist Accreditation Board.