The Family Law Specialist Accreditation Programme
Applications are now open for 2025.
The Law Society offers Specialist Accreditation in the area of Family Law. The Specialist Accreditation programme provides family law practitioners the opportunity to be recognised formally as having an enhanced level of competency in their field, a high standard of professionalism, and a commitment to ongoing expertise development through continuing legal education. Family Law Accredited Specialists are provided with the Family Accredited Specialist logo and branding to use on their marketing material.
To become a Family Law Accredited Specialist, you must:
- Be a current financial member of the Law Society of Western Australia.
- Hold a current practising certificate.
- Have at least five years of full-time experience in the practice of law.
- Have had substantial involvement (no less than 25%) in the practice of family law over at least the preceding three years.
- Provided the names of three referees in support of your application.
- Successfully complete the Specialist Accreditation assessment programme.
To continue to remain accredited, you must:
- Be a current financial member of the Law Society of Western Australia.
- Hold a current practising certificate.
- Pay the prescribed annual fee as it falls due.
- Complete a minimum of 10 CLE points in approved accreditation activities each year.
- Complete the re-accreditation application every three years.
Downloads:
- List of Current Family Law Accredited Specialists
- List of Approved Accreditation Activities 2024/2025
- List of Approved Accreditation Activities 2023/2024
- List of Approved Accreditation Activities 2022/2023
- Points Request Form
- Accreditation Booklet
- National Mutual Recognition Policy
- Application for Re-Accreditation
- Schedule A: Statement of Attendance for Year Ending 31 March 2024
- Schedule B: Undertaking of Attendance for Year Ending 31 March 2024
- Accreditation Committee Terms of Reference
- Accreditation Advisory Sub-Committee Terms of Reference
2025 Family Law Specialist Accreditation Assessment Programme
The Law Society is pleased to offer the 2025 Family Law Specialist Accreditation Assessment Programme.
2025 Key Dates
- Friday, 11 April 2025 – Applications close.
- Friday, 6 June 2025 – Part 1: Take Home Assessment released.
- Monday, 30 June 2025 – Part 1: Take Home Assessment due.
- Saturday, 26 July 2025 – Part 2: Written examination.
- Sunday, 27 July 2025 – Part 3: Simulated client interview.
- October 2025 – Results sent to candidates.
It is recommended that prospective applicants consider the documents located under ‘Downloads‘ particularly the 2025 Specialist Accreditation Guidelines – Family Law.
Fee
- Application Fee: $1500
To apply click here.
Family Law Specialist Accreditation Information Sessions
The two complimentary Information Sessions have taken place. Should any applicant wish to view a recording of Information Session One, please email accreditation@lawsocietywa.asn.au and a link to the recording will be provided.
Please note that no recording of Information Session Two is available.
Downloads:
- Application for Accreditation Specialist Exam 2025
- 2025 Specialist Accreditation Guidelines - Family Law
- Accredited Specialisation Performance Standards
- Application for the Committee’s Discretion – for candidates who do not meet the application eligibility criteria
- Simulated Client Interview – PowerPoint Presentation
Approved Accreditation Activities
Accreditation activities approved by the Law Society’s Family Law Accreditation Advisory Sub-Committee for claiming of Accreditation CLE points are linked in the downloads section of this page.
If you wish to submit an activity for the Family Law Accreditation Advisory Sub-Committee’s approval please complete the Family Law Request for Points form and send it, along with supporting documentation, to accreditation@lawsocietywa.asn.au. Requests for points should be submitted at least 14 days prior to each monthly Family Law Accreditation Advisory Sub-Committee meeting.
If you have any further questions about the Specialist Accreditation programme, please email accreditation@lawsocietywa.asn.au.
Disclaimer: The Law Society does not warrant or guarantee the work undertaken by any firm or individual listed or provided and is not liable in relation to any aspect of legal services they may provide to you.
Mutual Recognition
The Law Societies in each jurisdiction have worked together to develop a framework for a national Mutual Recognition Policy that enables practitioners to have their accreditation gained in one State recognised in another state in certain circumstances.
If a practitioner moves interstate or is currently required to service clients in more than one State, they may be eligible to have their Family Law Specialist Accreditation recognised both here in Western Australia and in other States in which they are practising.
The Specialist Accreditation Mutual Recognition Policy has been designed to cater for legal practitioners who:
- Practise in two or more States and deal with clients from those States; and/or
- Relocate their practice to a State different from that of their original accreditation.
