Specialist Accreditation is one of the profession's most respected forms of recognition. It provides assurance to the public, the courts, and the profession that a practitioner has demonstrated the knowledge, experience and professional competence expected of a recognised specialist in their area of practice.
The Queensland Law Society remains strongly committed to the Specialist Accreditation Scheme and to ensuring it continues to provide meaningful recognition of specialist legal capability.
Following the completion of the first accreditation cycle under the revised Oct-Sept timetable, the Specialist Accreditation Board has approved a period of review and planning before the next full cycle of programs is offered.
As a result, Family Law will be the only accreditation program offered in 2027.
We recognise this may be disappointing for practitioners who were anticipating participating in programs in 2027.
This decision does not reflect any reduced commitment to any accreditation area. Rather, it provides an opportunity to consider feedback received from the profession, reflect on lessons emerging from recent accreditation cycles, and ensure the Scheme continues to evolve while maintaining the high standards that underpin its value and credibility.
Many practitioners begin preparing for Specialist Accreditation a year or more in advance. We encourage those considering future accreditation to continue developing their expertise, broadening their experience, and maintaining their interest in gaining accreditation. Any preparation undertaken will remain valuable regardless of when your preferred program next becomes available.
The Society expects to provide further information during 2027 regarding accreditation programs proposed for 2028 and 2029.
Register your interest
If you were intending to apply for Specialist Accreditation in 2027 or 2028, we encourage you to register an Expression of Interest. Registering does not create any obligation to participate but will assist the Board in planning future accreditation offerings and understanding demand across different practice areas.
We appreciate the profession's ongoing support for Specialist Accreditation and look forward to sharing further updates.
