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Eligibility

What are the eligibility requirements?

To be eligible for entry into an Accredited Specialist program, solicitors must satisfy the following criteria:

• Hold a current solicitor Practising Certificate
• Have practised for five years on a full-time basis, or equivalent*
• Demonstrate a substantial involvement in the area for the three years prior to application**, and 
• Be a solicitor member of the Law Society of New South Wales or be a full solicitor member of an equivalent state or territory body in Australia.

More information on eligibility requirements

The definition of a solicitor can be found in section 4 of the Legal Profession Act 2004.

Download the 2012 Guide to Application and Assessment.

*When calculating years in practice, 'years' run from the date of commencement of practice to 30 June in the year of application.

** Time spent must not be less than 25% of normal full-time practice or its equivalent. It is possible for a practitioner who is not working full time but is involved in the specialty area for the equivalent of 25% of normal full-time practice to be eligible for accreditation. For applicants seeking accreditation in mediation, 'substantial involvement' shall be not less than 10 mediations or 30 hours of mediation as a mediator using the Law Society mediation model.