Accreditation schemes
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Certified expertise
Many legal practitioners earn special recognition for their expertise in particular areas of law by achieving membership in one or more of the SRA's accreditation schemes.
Look
for this sign next to the name of firms listed in Find
a solicitor; it means that firms have one or more practitioners whose
skills, knowledge and experience—in at least one major area of law—have
been thoroughly tested and certified against SRA standards.
A convenient, easy-to-understand reference point for anyone who thinks they might require the services of an accreditation scheme member is Your guide to finding expert legal help (PDF 68K).
What are SRA accreditation schemes?
Membership of SRA accreditation schemes is voluntary. The expertise of scheme members in a given area of law has been verified, and their accomplishment is recognised by the SRA.
More than 16 per cent of solicitors belong to at least one SRA accreditation scheme; in some cases, highly skilled non-solicitors achieve membership of a scheme.
In total, more than 18,000 legal professionals are members of SRA accreditation schemes.
Why do we have accreditation schemes?
The SRA 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 make informed choices
- offer solicitors and firms use of a recognisable brand
- provide information for the courts, statutory bodies and other professionals
- ensure that scheme members maintain relevant standards of competency and expertise, by means of periodic reselection, re-accreditation and reauthorisation
To view information on specific accreditation schemes, choose from the options at the top left.
If you are a legal practitioner, learn more about the benefits of accreditation scheme membership.
Who can join accreditation schemes?
Solicitors can apply for membership of any SRA accreditation scheme—as long as they meet the eligibility criteria and can subsequently prove their competence.
Some schemes accept membership applications from solicitors’ employees. The Mental Health Review Tribunal Accreditation Scheme accepts applications from solicitors, legal executives, trainee solicitors and solicitors’ clerks. By contrast, only qualified solicitors are permitted to join the Criminal Litigation Accreditation Scheme. Scheme members are accredited to uniform standards—regardless of their professional status.
To learn who is eligible to join a specific accreditation scheme, choose from the options below and select more information.
Download forms and documents
- General
- Children Panel Accreditation Scheme
- Civil and Commercial Mediation Accreditation Scheme
- Clinical Negligence Accreditation Scheme
- Criminal Litigation Accreditation Scheme
- Family Law Accreditation Scheme
- Family Law Accreditation Scheme Advanced
- Family Mediation Accreditation Scheme
- Higher Courts Rights of Audience
- Immigration and Asylum Accreditation Scheme
- Insolvency Practitioners
- Mental Health Review Tribunal Accreditation Scheme
- Personal Injury Accreditation Scheme
- Planning Law Accreditation Scheme
- Police Station Representatives Accreditation Scheme
General
- Professional accreditation schemes: Application criteria and guidance notes (PDF 80K)
- Your guide to finding expert legal help (customer guide – downloadable version) (PDF 68K)
- Order form (for accreditation scheme members only) for print version of "Your guide to finding expert legal help" (PDF 35K)
Children Panel Accreditation Scheme (more information)
- Children Panel Accreditation Scheme: Criteria and guidance notes (PDF 62K)
- Children Panel Accreditation Scheme: Assessment questionnaire – private practice applicants (PDF 55K)
- Children Panel Accreditation Scheme: Assessment questionnaire – local authority applicants (PDF 51K)
- Children Panel Accreditation Scheme: Approved training courses (PDF 18K)
- Children Panel Accreditation Scheme: Conversion of membership to children representative (PDF 21K)
- Children Panel Accreditation Scheme: Transfer of scheme membership (PDF 25K)
- Employment of ex-offenders and assessment of character and suitability: Policy statement (PDF 26K)
- Secure storage, handling, use, retention and disposal of Criminal Records Bureau disclosures and disclosure information: Policy statement (PDF 26K)
Civil and Commercial Mediation Accreditation Scheme (more information)
- Civil and Commercial Mediation Accreditation Scheme: Application for membership (PDF 57K)
- Civil and Commercial Mediation Accreditation Scheme: Criteria and guidance notes (PDF 151K)
Clinical Negligence Accreditation Scheme (more information)
- Clinical Negligence Accreditation Scheme: Application for membership (PDF 35K)
- Clinical Negligence Accreditation Scheme: Application case report form (PDF 22K)
- Clinical Negligence Accreditation Scheme: Criteria and guidance notes (PDF 74K)
Criminal Litigation Accreditation Scheme (more information)
- Criminal Litigation Accreditation Scheme: Application for Stage 1 membership (PDF 21K)
- Criminal Litigation Accreditation Scheme: Application for the award of the Police Station Qualification (PDF 21K)
- Criminal Litigation Accreditation Scheme: Assessment and accreditation procedures (PDF 84K)
- Criminal Litigation Accreditation Scheme: Standards of competence for the accreditation of solicitors representing clients in the magistrates’ court (PDF 57K)
- Criminal Litigation Accreditation Scheme: Standards of competence for the accreditation of solicitors and representatives advising at the police station (PDF 42K)
- Criminal Litigation Accreditation Scheme: Police Station Qualification and Magistrates’ Court Qualification – portfolio guidance (PDF 61K)
- Criminal Defence Service Duty Solicitor Arrangements 2001 (PDF 53K)
Family Law Accreditation Scheme (more information)
- Family Law Accreditation Scheme: Application for membership (PDF 21K)
- Family Law Accreditation Scheme: Criteria and guidance notes (PDF 48K)
- Family Law Accreditation Scheme: Assessment (PDF 58K)
- Family Law Accreditation Scheme: Client information sheet (PDF 28K)
Family Law Accreditation Scheme Advanced (more information)
Family Mediation Accreditation Scheme (more information)
- Family Mediation Accreditation Scheme: Application for general membership (PDF 35K)
- Family Mediation Accreditation Scheme: Application for practitioner membership – development/direct route questionnaire (PDF 52K)
- Family Mediation Accreditation Scheme: Application for practitioner membership – passport route questionnaire (PDF 35K)
- Family Mediation Accreditation Scheme: Criteria and guidance notes (PDF 52K)
- Standards of competence for the accreditation of Family Mediators (PDF 48K)
Higher Courts Rights of Audience (more information)
- Higher Rights of Audience: Guidance notes for solicitors who wish to apply for rights of audience in the higher courts (PDF 76K)
- Higher Rights of Audience: Introduction to gaining higher rights of audience (PDF 31K)
- Applications under the Higher Courts Qualification Regulations 2000: Frequently asked questions (PDF 49K)
- Higher Courts Qualification Regulations 2000: Approved course providers (PDF 18K)
- Higher Rights of Audience: Accreditation route civil questionnaire (PDF 36K)
- Higher Rights of Audience: Accreditation route criminal questionnaire (PDF 35K)
- Higher Courts Qualification Regulations 2000: Application for a certificate of eligibility under the accreditation route (PDF 22K)
- Higher Courts Qualification Regulations 2000: Application for the award of a Higher Courts Qualification under the development route (PDF 34K)
- Rights of Audience in the Higher Courts: Guidance on the role of mentor and the development of the portfolio (PDF 38K)
- Higher Rights of Audience: Development route suggested portfolio form (PDF 23K)
- Higher Courts Qualification Regulations 2000: Application for the award of higher courts qualification under the exemption route (PDF 27K)
- Higher Courts Qualification Regulations 2000: Application for the award of a Higher Courts Qualification for former barristers (PDF 35K)
Immigration and Asylum Accreditation Scheme (more information)
- Immigration and Asylum Accreditation Scheme: Criteria and guidance notes (PDF 50K)
- Immigration and Asylum Accreditation Scheme: Application for registration (PDF 33K)
- Standards and guidance for the Immigration and Asylum Accreditation Scheme: Probationer level (PDF 51K)
- Standards and guidance for the Immigration and Asylum Accreditation Scheme: Accredited caseworker level (PDF 63K)
- Standards and guidance for the Immigration and Asylum Accreditation Scheme: Senior caseworker level (PDF 142K)
- Standards for the Immigration and Asylum Accreditation Scheme: Supervisor standard (PDF 25K)
- Immigration and Asylum Accreditation Scheme: Advanced caseworker accreditation criteria and guidance (PDF 47K)
- Immigration and Asylum Accreditation Scheme: Application for advanced caseworker accreditation (PDF 31K)
- Immigration and Asylum Accreditation Scheme: Application for advanced caseworker accreditation - Suggested case report form (PDF 28K)
Insolvency Practitioners (more information)
- Application for authorisation to act as an insolvency practitioner (PDF 51K)
- Procedures for authorisation to act as an insolvency practitioner (PDF 63K)
- Joint Insolvency Examination: Past Papers – Liquidations (December 2007) (PDF 52K)
- Joint Insolvency Examination: Past Papers – Administrations, Company Voluntary Arrangements and Receiverships (December 2007) (PDF 42K)
- Joint Insolvency Examination: Past Papers – Personal Insolvency (December 2007) (PDF 45K)
- Joint Insolvency Examination: Examiners' report and marking plan – December 2007 exam (England) (PDF 206K)
- Insolvency guidance paper: Bankruptcy – family homes (PDF 31K)
- Insolvency guidance paper: Control of cases (PDF 29K)
- Insolvency guidance paper: Succession planning (PDF 33K)
- Insolvency guidance paper: Systems for control of accounting and other business records (PDF 33K)
- Index of statements of insolvency practice (PDF 66K)
- Statement of insolvency practice 1 (E&W) – An administrative receiver's responsibility for the company's records
- Statement of insolvency practice 2 (E&W) – A liquidator's investigation into the affairs of an insolvent company
- Statement of insolvency practice 3 (E&W) – Voluntary arrangements
- Statement of insolvency practice 4 (E&W) – Disqualification of directors
- Statement of insolvency practice 7 (E&W) – Preparation of insolvency office holders’ receipts and payments accounts
- Statement of insolvency practice 8 (E&W) – Summoning and holding meetings of creditors convened pursuant to Section 98 of the Insolvency Act 1986
- Statement of insolvency practice 9 (E&W) – Remuneration of insolvency office holders
- Statement of insolvency practice 10 (E&W) – Proxy forms
- Statement of insolvency practice 11 (E&W) – The handling of funds in formal insolvency appointments
- Statement of insolvency practice 12 (E&W) – Records of meetings in formal insolvency proceedings
- Statement of insolvency practice 13 (E&W) – Acquisition of assets of insolvent companies by directors
- Statement of insolvency practice 14 (E&W) – A receiver’s responsibility to preferential creditors
- Statement of insolvency practice 15 (E&W) – Reporting and providing information on their functions to committees in formal insolvencies
Mental Health Review Tribunal Accreditation Scheme (more information)
- Mental Health Review Tribunal Accreditation Scheme: Application for membership of the scheme (PDF 32K)
- Mental Health Review Tribunal Accreditation Scheme: Criteria and guidance notes (PDF 47K)
- Mental Health Review Tribunal Accreditation Scheme: Approved training courses (PDF 16K)
- Representation at Mental Health Review Tribunals: Guidelines for legal representatives (PDF 28K)
- Employment of ex-offenders and assessment of character and suitability: Policy statement (PDF 26K)
- Secure storage, handling, use, retention and disposal of Criminal Records Bureau disclosures and disclosure information: Policy statement (PDF 26K)
- Mental Health Review Tribunals (MHRT): Standardisation of application forms (letter, Jack Fargher, 27/10/2005) (PDF 32K)
- Mental Health Review Tribunal (MHRT): Application form (non-restricted patient) (PDF19K, DOC 64K)
- Mental Health Review Tribunal (MHRT): Application form (restricted patient) (PDF18K, DOC 56K)
- Mental Health Review Tribunal (MHRT): Application form (section 2 patient) (PDF18K, DOC 58K)
- Mental Health Review Tribunals (MHRT): Contact information (PDF 28K)
Personal Injury Accreditation Scheme (more information)
- Personal Injury Accreditation Scheme: Application for membership (PDF 32K)
- Personal Injury Accreditation Scheme: Application case report form (PDF 25K)
- Personal Injury Accreditation Scheme: Criteria and guidance notes (PDF 141K)
Planning Law Accreditation Scheme (more information)
- Application for selection to the Planning Law Accreditation Scheme (PDF 25K)
- Planning Law Accreditation Scheme: Criteria and guidance notes (PDF 33K)