Clinical Negligence

Applying for scheme membership

If you are interested in becoming a member of the Clinical Negligence Accreditation Scheme, download and read:

• Professional accreditation schemes: application criteria and guidance notes (PDF, 86kb)
• Clinical Negligence Accreditation Scheme criteria and guidance notes (PDF, 134kb)

Then complete and submit the assessment questionnaire at annex C of the guidance document, the case report form and application form.

In brief, you will need:

• approximately three years' experience of clinical negligence matters
• to have conducted at least 36 clinical negligence cases during the past three years
• to have completed at least 20 hours of relevant training during the past three years
• to submit an application covering all aspects of your clinical negligence practice and the procedures operated by your firm (applications are graded by independent practitioners).

The Clinical Negligence Accreditation Scheme is for solicitors and legal executives who represent victims. Lawyers who act solely for defendants in clinical negligence cases need not join the scheme. Those who act for victims as well as defendants are required to demonstrate to our satisfaction that they can properly conduct actions on behalf of victims.

If you have any queries about scheme membership requirements, contact the Accreditation Unit (t: 0870 606 2566).

Useful links

AvMA

Action against Medical Accidents (AvMA) is an independent charity which works to promote better patient safety and justice for patients if they have been harmed as a result of a medical accident, or are involved in cases of clinical negligence. AvMA provides free and independent advice.

Accreditation scheme logos

The Law Society has a dedicated website for accreditation scheme members which offers secure access to the Clinical Negligence Accreditation Scheme logo.

Continuing professional development

All solicitors undertake appropriate training and development activities every year, as stipulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority's continuing professional development (CPD) requirements.

During each of their membership terms, which typically run for five years, members of the Clinical Negligence Accreditation Scheme are required to accumulate at least 20 CPD hours of completed, clinical-negligence-related coursework.

Re-accreditation

Scheme membership doesn't last for ever: every five years, it must be renewed; the process is called re-accreditation.

Re-accreditation is a way of assuring consumers that members of the Clinical Negligence Accreditation Scheme always meet the requirements for membership.

Please contact the Accreditation Unit for information about re-accreditation.

Reselection

If you are a scheme member and you move between firms during your membership, you may need to apply for reselection. You will not need to apply for reselection if a Clinical Negligence Accreditation Scheme member or a Personal Injury Accreditation Scheme member already works at your new firm.

The Clinical Negligence Accreditation Scheme guidance notes (PDF, 134kb) and the application form (PDF, 39kb) contain full details of the reselection process.