What is an Accredited Specialist?

We posted the fantastic news that Julie Bligh had received the Queensland Law Society’s Award for “Highest Achiever” in Family Law Specialist Accreditation 2019. 

People have since asked – what is an Accredited Specialist? 

Specialist Accreditation provides a nationally recognised “mark of excellence” for high level competence and knowledge. 

Connolly Suthers has more Accredited Specialists than any other firm in Townsville.  We have Accredited Specialists in Personal Injuries, Succession Law (Wills and Estates), Property Law and Family Law.

So how does a Solicitor become an Accredited Specialist?

The Queensland Law Society accepts applications only from experienced Solicitors who have recognised ability in a particular area of law.  Their ability has to be confirmed by Solicitors or Barristers who don’t work in the same firm – that is, peer recognition of expertise. 

But that’s only the start! 

There is a grueling assessment process, and this year the majority of experienced professionals did not get through.  It’s that tough. 

The Queensland Law Society describes the assessment as a “rigorous, peer-reviewed and practical skills competency based accreditation program”. 

The Society says the Specialist Accreditation Scheme aims to benefit the public by offering “reliable means of identifying practitioners who are recognised by their peers as having special competence in particular areas of practice”.  And goes on to say “Solicitors who are Accredited as Specialist are recognised as having:

• Enhanced skills;
• Superior knowledge;
• Significant experience;
• And a high proficiency.

In established legal speciality areas.

You can obtain advice locally, confident that our solicitors are experts in their fields.