Individual accreditation
APIL accreditation provides a quality mark of competence and specialist expertise for solicitors and barristers dealing with personal injury claims. This quality
mark helps the consumer to recognise expertise and specialisms within the profession. The accreditation scheme demonstrates that an APIL lawyer has achieved a specific standard.
*NEW* competency standards
APIL has been busy piloting competency standards for the three different levels of entry to APIL’s accreditation scheme. Building on the former criteria for litigator, senior litigator and fellowship, these standards are now available for use by all APIL members.
The standards are business tools, best used for developing staff, but can be used for recruitment and promotion. In APIL’s case the standards are to be used as entry to the accreditation scheme and for the development of CPD training programmes.
To help ease the transfer over to the new process, APIL members will still be able to apply for accreditation using the old application forms until 30 September 2012. From 1 October 2012, applications for accreditation will only be accepted through the new process.
APIL has also developed competency standards for two specialist areas – brain injury and clinical negligence. Further specialist standards will follow. To get the new specialist schemes off the ground, APIL will admit a small number of members to accredited status on the basis of “grandfathering”. Applicants wishing to be “grandfathered” can apply now for specialist status and this will remain open until 31 July 2012. Details on how to apply for each specialist scheme is here.
Become a brain injury grandfather (assessor)
Become a clinical negligence grandfather (assessor)
Applications for specialist status will be open generally from 1 August 2012.
These schemes are now open to members holding Senior Litigator status (or above), with demonstrated competence in these fields. The schemes require assessment of an applicant’s work, by reference to cases handled, in a manner similar to that used in the new schemes for personal accreditation as Litigator, Senior Litigator and Fellow.
For further information about the new competency standards, including the new specialist standards for brain injury and clinical negligence, and for all the application forms, please click the link below.
Benefits
With individual accreditation, you will:
- be able to use the accredited APIL logos and specialist logos
- appear in the APIL online personal injury lawyers search
- become linked to a major national information campaign, promoting the logo and directing the public to accredited APIL members, their organisation and offices
- benefit from APIL’s supporting press and PR activity to support APIL’s national public information campaign
- through APIL’s consumer website and advertising campaigns, receive independent recognition for you and your organisation’s:
- expertise
- competencies
- high professional standards
- high standards for client care
- ensure your practice/chambers is clearly differentiated.
From 1 April 2013, all accredited members will need to revalidate their accredited status every five years. This will apply to all current accredited members as well. Members will not, however, have to re-apply for accreditation but will be required to confirm that particular criteria have been and continue to be satisfied. Further information on the process will be circulated to members over the summer months.
Areas of expertise
Accredited members may amend their areas of expertise at any time through the members’ area of www.apil.org.uk by clicking on
My details.