Why become an Accredited Specialist?

Why did you undertake Specialist Accreditation?

To challenge myself. I had spoken to a number of people who had undertaken the program and heard it was a significant undertaking. I also wanted to know how I was progressing in my career in criminal law and the program was a great yardstick for that.

What did you gain from completing the Program?  And what did it teach you?

I gained considerable personal satisfaction from completing the program. It is not for the faint hearted and took a lot of work. To just complete the program, let alone be accredited, was truly a terrific feeling and a very proud moment in my career.

Undertaking the program taught me a lot. The questions were topical and challenging and the research required to complete them brought me up to speed on areas like professional ethics and Commonwealth law that I wasn’t necessarily well versed in as I thought before undertaking the program. The knowledge I gained has been valuable in practice and put to good use numerous times since.

When did you know it was the right time to undertake the Program?

I had been a solicitor for nearly eight years at the time and had been prosecuting full-time for about five of those. I’m not sure I can say I knew for certain what I was really heading into with the program at the time of applying. However, I knew I was ready to challenge myself and that was what told me it was the right time to undertake the program.

What are the benefits of being an Accredited Specialist?

It sets you apart from your peers in a positive way. I have had many colleagues from both sides of the bar table notice my accreditation, ask me about the program, and congratulate me for obtaining it. That level of respect in the profession is invaluable and can be difficult to achieve by other means.

What does it mean to you to be able to call yourself an Accredited Specialist?

To be able to call myself an accredited specialist is a reminder that I undertook something difficult and succeeded and also a reminder that I have the skills, knowledge and experience in my field to be seen as a specialist in criminal law.

How has being an Accredited Specialist impacted your daily practice?

Apart from having to do the extra 10 CPD points each year, I can’t say it has impacted my practice on a daily basis significantly.

What is the best advice you would give to someone who is considering undertaking Accreditation?

For those considering the Criminal Law program, my advice is threefold.

First, give yourself enough time to complete the take home exam. It contains six very difficult university-style questions and you are given only three weeks to complete them. You will need most, if not all of that time, to do it properly. It can be difficult to take time off for some practitioners, so plan well ahead and make sure you give yourself those three weeks off to solely focus on the exam if you can.

Second, ensure you trust enough in your skills. If you still have doubt about your written submissions skills or advocacy skills, maybe consider giving yourself another two years between programs before trying out.

Lastly, for both the mock hearing and mock briefing, my advice is remember to breathe and then just get to work. The allotted time for each goes incredibly fast, so don’t hesitate and waste time.

What was the best part about participating in the Program?

The sense of pride once you’ve finished. I wouldn’t recommend it as a relaxing way to spend your time. But I highly recommend the program to every criminal lawyer out there who is ready to challenge their skills and gain a measure of where they are at in their careers.