Get recognition for your excellence
What are Law Society Accreditation Schemes?
Many legal practitioners earn special recognition for their expertise in particular areas of law by achieving membership in one or more of the Law Society's accreditation schemes.
The Law Society operates accreditation schemes in order to:
- promote high standards in legal service provision
- ensure that consumers are easily able to identify legal practitioners with proven competency in given areas of law
- help consumers to make informed choices
- offer solicitors and firms use of a recognisable brand
- provide information for courts, statutory bodies and other professionals
- ensure that scheme members maintain relevant standards of competency and expertise, by means of periodic reselection and re-accreditation
Visit each scheme's webpage for more information about what to expect from an accredited solicitor, current membership lists, eligibility requirements and application documentation.
Public/client benefits
Law Society accreditation scheme membership is voluntary. The expertise of scheme members in a given area of law has been verified and their accomplishment is recognised by the Law Society. They:
- promote high standards in legal service provision
- ensure that clients are easily able to identify legal practitioners with proven competency in given areas of law
- help consumers to make informed choices about whom to instruct
- assure consumers that the Law Society has asked the questions that a discerning client wouldn't otherwise ask
- ensure that scheme members maintain relevant standards of competency and expertise by means of periodic reselection, re-accreditation and re-authorisation
Member benefits
Membership benefits include:
- a badge of honour - the individual has demonstrated knowledge, skill and expertise in a particular area of law
- provide assurance to potential clients that they have chosen a representative with appropriate knowledge, skills and expertise
- benefit from Law Society marketing activities including current campaign designed to raise awareness of scheme benefits and members receive brand advantage through establishing themselves as a specialist expert in a given area of law
- access and right to use Law Society logo - the Law Society is a top 100 brand recognised by the public and businesses as a trusted expert
- high awareness of member expertise from courts, statutory bodies and other professionals
- entry on to lawsocietyapproved.com, making it easier for individuals and businesses to find members when they require expertise
- access to individual brands for each scheme which members can use for their stationery and promotional material - only scheme members have access to the brands