Criminal Litigation

Get recognition for your excellence

What is the Criminal Litigation Accreditation Scheme?

The Criminal Litigation Accreditation Scheme covers all types of criminal law work.

Members will have shown, to the satisfaction of the Law Society and through external examination that they have and will maintain a high level of knowledge, skills, experience and practice in the area of criminal litigation.

The Criminal Litigation Accreditation Scheme is designed to enable solicitors and Fellows of the Institute of Legal Executives (FILEX) to qualify to apply for inclusion on local duty solicitor rotas under the Legal Services Commission's Criminal Defence Service Duty Solicitor Arrangements 2001.

Further details can be found in our Criminal Litigation Accreditation Scheme Guidance [PDF, 184kb].

Who's a member?

To view all current members of our Criminal Litigation Accreditation Scheme download a list of members [PDF, 4.6mb], this list is updated each month.

How do I apply?

The general scheme application criteria and guidance [PDF, 121kb] is applicable to all Law Society accreditation schemes and should be read before starting the application process.

In order to complete the application process for the Criminal Litigation Accreditation Scheme, please follow the steps below:

1. Read the Criminal Litigation Accreditation Scheme Guidance [PDF, 184kb]
2. Read our guidance on the two examinations, the assessment organisations and their role:
   • Police Station Qualification/Magistrates Court Qualification Guidance [PDF, 140kb]
   • Approved assessment organisations and their role [PDF, 79kb]
3. Download and complete the following forms:
   • Section 1 - about your firm [Word, 75kb]
   • Section 2 - about you [Word, 67kb]
   • Section 3 - initial application [Word, 76kb]
4. Check the Law Society Accreditation Scheme fee schedule [PDF, 66kb] for fee information.
5. Print, sign and post forms with the appropriate fee to the address below.

Duty rota

To ensure you are able to make an application to the Legal Services Commission (LSC) duty rota on time for the next publishing date of 14 June 2011, for which the CDS12 needs to be submitted by 14 May 2012, please submit your application to the Criminal Litigation Accreditation Scheme by no later than 17 April 2012. If we receive your application after that date your application may not be processed in time for your application to the LSC duty rota.

Completed forms should be sent to:

Law Society Operations Admin
The Law Society
113 Chancery lane
London
WC2A 1PL

DX 56 London Chancery Lane