• Why should I be accredited?

Specialist accreditation is a significant achievement and valuable asset to recognise and promote your expertise in a specialisation, and thus enhance your reputation. It gives you the opportunity to distinguish yourself from your peers. Specialist accreditation also allows you to be identified by the legal industry and the general public as possessing the requisite skills and knowledge in your chosen area of specialisation.

• What is the difference between an Accredited Specialist and a Senior Accredited Specialist?

An Accredited Specialist is a legal practitioner with at least five years’ PQE who has been deemed by SAL to possess the necessary knowledge and skills to handle front-end and/or litigation work of some complexity in a specialised area of law. 

A Senior Accredited Specialist is a more experienced legal practitioner with at least 10 years’ PQE who has been deemed by SAL to possess the necessary knowledge and skills to handle front-end and/or litigation work of greater complexity in a specialised area of law. They have dedicated a good proportion of their practice to this specialisation.

• To be accredited, what are the eligibility criteria to fulfil?

The eligibility criteria for Accredited Specialist and Senior Accredited Specialist applicants differ. However, the criteria can be broadly set out as follows. You must:

• • have been admitted to the Singapore Bar as an Advocate and Solicitor of the Supreme Court of Singapore
  • for legal practitioners: hold a currently valid practising certificate
  • have a minimum full-time post-qualification experience (PQE)
  • have NOT been subject to any professional disciplinary proceedings or charged and convicted of a serious crime
  • have been substantially involved in the full-time practice of the specialisation for which accreditation is sought
  • have been engaged in continuing professional development (CPD) in the said specialisation
  • provide favourable references
  • successfully complete an assessment process comprising an examination and/or a selection panel interview

• How do I apply for specialist accreditation?

• What are the application dates for specialist accreditation?

If you are interested to apply to be an Accredited Specialist, the opening date for applications is Opening of Legal Year and the closing date is 31 March, 5pm.

If you intend to apply to be a Senior Accredited Specialist, the opening date for applications is 1 July and the closing date is 31 August, 5pm.

• What documentation do I need to include in my application?

• How is the 5 or 10 years’ PQE calculated?

If you are interested to apply to be an Accredited Specialist, you need at least 5 years’ full-time PQE as at 1 January. In other words, for 2023 applications, you would need to have commenced full-time practice on or prior to 1 January 2018.

If you intend to apply to be a Senior Accredited Specialist, you would need at least 10 years’ full-time PQE as at 1 July. In other words, for 2023 applications, you would need to have commenced full-time practice on or prior to 1 July 2013.

• Once I am accredited, what must I do to maintain my accreditation?

• What if I am unable to fulfil certain criteria? Are there exemptions?

• What are the fees?

• What are the refunds?

Refunds in Singapore dollars and exclusive of GST are as follows:

• What are the important dates I should take note of?

The key dates for the specialist accreditation programme 2023 are tentatively: