Clinical Negligence Accreditation Scheme
Applying for scheme membership
If you are interested in becoming a member of the Clinical Negligence Accreditation Scheme, download and read
- the Professional accreditation schemes application criteria and guidance notes (PDF 80K), and
- the Clinical Negligence Accreditation Scheme criteria and guidance notes (PDF 74K).
Then, complete and submit the assessment questionnaire (PDF 74K), utilizing the case report form (PDF 22K), and the application form (PDF 35K) for Clinical Negligence Accreditation Scheme applicants.
In brief, you will need
- approximately three years' experience of clinical negligence matters,
- to have conducted at least 36 clinical negligence cases during the past three years,
- to have completed at least 20 hours of relevant training during the past three years, and
- to submit an application covering all aspects of your clinical negligence practice and the procedures operated by your firm (applications are graded by independent practitioners).
The Clinical Negligence Accreditation Scheme is for solicitors and legal executives who represent victims. Lawyers who act solely for defendants in clinical negligence cases need not join the scheme. Those who act for victims, as well for defendants, are required to demonstrate to our satisfaction that they can properly conduct actions on behalf of victims.
Useful links
Action against Medical Accidents (AvMA) is an independent charity. AvMA works to promote better patient safety and justice for patients if they have been harmed as a result of a medical accident, or are involved in cases of clinical negligence. AvMA provides free and independent advice.
The SRA operates a dedicated website for scheme members, offering secure access to the Clinical Negligence Accreditation Scheme logo.
Continuing professional development
All solicitors undertake appropriate training and development activities every year, as stipulated by the SRA's continuing professional development (CPD) requirements.
During each of their membership terms, which typically run for five years, members of the Clinical Negligence Accreditation Scheme are required to accumulate at least 20 CPD hours of completed, clinical-negligence-related coursework.
Re-accreditation
Scheme membership doesn't last forever. Every five years, it must be renewed; the process is called re-accreditation.
Re-accreditation is a way of assuring consumers that members of the Clinical Negligence Accreditation Scheme continually meet the requirements for membership.
Information for scheme members
If you are a scheme member and think your membership is about to expire, you don't need to do anything. We will automatically send you the forms and all of the details you need at least two months before your membership expires.
To ensure the forms reach you promptly, review your entry in Find a solicitor (the Law Society's online directory of solicitors), and immediately advise us by email if the contact details that appear there are incorrect.
Applications for re-accreditation are assessed by experienced and qualified assessors who—in most instances—have been scheme members for several years.
Reselection
If you are a scheme member and you move between firms during your membership, you may need to apply for reselection. You will not need to apply for reselection if a Clinical Negligence Accreditation Scheme member or a Personal Injury Accreditation Scheme member already works at your new firm.
The Clinical Negligence Accreditation Scheme guidance notes (PDF 74K) and the application form (PDF 35K) contain full details of the reselection process.