Individual accreditation – applicants from England and Wales

Competency standards identify knowledge, know-how, understanding, behaviour and skills. For each level, there are a number of different functions and each standard describes the main functions to bring about effective performance. Each applicant must provide evidence throughout the course of their work that each function has been fulfilled.

The standards are business tools, best used for developing staff, but can also be used for recruitment and promotion. In APIL’s case, the standards are used for entry to the accreditation scheme and for the development of CPD training programmes.

Specialist standards

Specialist standards for brain injury, clinical negligence, spinal cord injury and occupational/asbestos disease have also been developed to evidence competence in particular areas of personal injury work.

Members wishing to apply for specialist accreditation need to satisfy additional criteria, over and above the functions listed on the senior litigator standard. Accredited specialist practitioners can display an APIL specialist logo in addition to the individual and corporate logos.

Applying for accreditation

Candidates for accreditation should apply for the Standard most appropriate to their level of expertise:

Portal claims handler - a candidate whose primary role is to process claims within the portal
Litigator - usually a candidate with up to five years’ experience and running their caseload under supervision
Senior Litigator - usually a candidate with over five years’ experience, running their own caseload and self-authorising at the key steps of litigation
Fellow – usually a candidate with over ten years’ experience, sharing knowledge, and managing a PI department (candidates must be accredited Senior Litigators)

Candidates should complete their sections of the Portfolio and discuss these with their assessor. Assessors complete their sections of the Portfolio and submit the signed Portfolio to APIL, once confidential client information has been removed.

Candidates should read the accompanying guidance notes below for further information, and refer to the ways to accrue APIL accredited hours below, to maintain their accreditation.

Guidance notes

Individually accredited members - CPD training requirements