What is a QLS Accredited Specialist in Criminal Law?
A Queensland Law Society Accredited Specialist in Criminal Law is a lawyer recognised for a high level of knowledge, skill and experience in criminal law. Specialist Accreditation is one of the highest level of professional credentials available to solicitors, with the Queensland Law Society describing it as a ‘mark of excellence’ and a national benchmark for specialist expertise.
The accreditation is not based simply on years in practice or a solicitor describing themselves as experienced in criminal law. To become an Accredited Specialist in Criminal Law, a solicitor must have substantial experience in the field and successfully complete a rigorous accreditation program testing both legal knowledge and practical application. This includes criminal law and procedure, evidence, advocacy, legal analysis, and strategic advice.
Criminal Law is one of the recognised areas of Specialist Accreditation in Queensland. When choosing the best criminal lawyer in Brisbane for a serious charge, accreditation provides an independent benchmark of a lawyer's advanced knowledge, experience and skill specifically in criminal law.
The QLS Specialist Accreditation Scheme operates nationally and provides a recognised benchmark for specialist expertise across established areas of legal practice.
Key facts about QLS Accredited Specialists in Criminal Law
Accreditation body: Queensland Law Society
Area of accreditation: Criminal Law
Recognition: Part of a national Specialist Accreditation framework
Purpose: To recognise solicitors with enhanced skills, superior knowledge, significant experience and high proficiency
Accreditation is ongoing: Accredited Specialists must continue practising substantially in their area
Additional professional development: Accredited Specialists must complete additional continuing professional development requirements each year
Public verification: Accredited Specialists can be identified through the Queensland Law Society Register of Solicitors
The Specialist Accreditation Scheme operates nationally and provides a national benchmark for recognising specialist expertise in different areas of law.
What does ‘Accredited Specialist in Criminal Law’ actually mean?
‘Accredited Specialist’ is a formal professional accreditation administered by the Queensland Law Society.
The rigorous accreditation program is designed to identify solicitors who demonstrate a higher level of knowledge, skill, experience and proficiency in their particular field.
For Criminal Law accreditation, this means demonstrating capability across the substantive criminal law as well as criminal procedure, evidence, advocacy, ethics and the practical conduct of criminal cases.
This distinction is important. Many solicitors practise criminal law, but only solicitors who have satisfied the formal accreditation requirements can represent themselves as QLS Accredited Specialists in Criminal Law.
Is Specialist Accreditation nationally recognised?
Yes. The Specialist Accreditation Scheme operates nationally and provides a national benchmark for recognising specialist expertise in different areas of law.
Similar specialist accreditation schemes operate through participating Australian law societies.
What ongoing requirements apply to an Accredited Specialist?
Specialist Accreditation must be maintained. An Accredited Specialist must continue to practise substantially in their accredited area and undertake additional professional development.
QLS currently requires Accredited Specialists to complete 15 continuing professional development points each year, with at least 10 points in their area of accreditation.
These ongoing requirements are particularly relevant in criminal law. Queensland criminal law continues to evolve through legislative reform, appellate decisions and developments in criminal procedure, evidence and sentencing. Maintaining Specialist Accreditation requires an ongoing commitment to professional development.
Why does Specialist Accreditation matter in criminal law?
Criminal law is highly specialised in practice, particularly when a person is facing a serious indictable charge. A serious criminal case can involve issues concerning:
the Criminal Code 1899 (Qld);
the Evidence Act 1977 (Qld);
the Bail Act 1980 (Qld);
the Penalties and Sentences Act 1992 (Qld);
police powers and interviews;
disclosure obligations;
forensic and electronic evidence;
expert evidence;
committal proceedings;
negotiations with prosecutors;
jury trials;
sentencing principles; and
criminal appeals.
Some cases also involve Commonwealth offences and Commonwealth legislation.
The consequences can extend well beyond the immediate court proceeding. A criminal charge or conviction may affect your employment, professional registration, ability to travel, security clearances, family and reputation. For serious offences, the consequences can include a substantial term of imprisonment.
For serious charges, the experience and capability of your criminal defence team is critical. Serious criminal matters can involve large briefs of evidence, complex questions of law and evidence, expert witnesses, forensic material and contested applications before the case ever reaches trial.
A specialist criminal lawyer will know what to look for in the prosecution case, what evidence or disclosure is missing, which issues need to be challenged and when further evidence or expert opinion should be obtained. These decisions can significantly affect how the case is prepared, how it progresses, and ultimately the outcome.
Is every criminal lawyer an Accredited Specialist?
No. Specialist Accreditation is a separate professional credential. A solicitor must meet the applicable eligibility requirements, successfully complete the accreditation process and then maintain the ongoing requirements.
What is the difference between an Accredited Specialist and a barrister?
An Accredited Specialist in Criminal Law is a solicitor who has obtained formal Specialist Accreditation in Criminal Law.
A barrister has a different role. Barristers generally focus on advocacy, court appearances and specialist advice. In serious criminal proceedings, a solicitor will often brief a criminal barrister to form part of the defence team.
For particularly serious or complex cases, King's Counsel, commonly called a KC, may be briefed.
The solicitor remains central to the case. The solicitor manages the defence, analyses the evidence, deals with disclosure and preparation, advises the client and works with counsel in developing the defence strategy.
What should I look for in a specialist criminal lawyer?
If you are facing a serious criminal charge, consider both formal credentials and actual experience. A criminal law firm should be able to explain:
its experience with your particular charge;
whether it regularly conducts serious criminal cases;
its experience in the District and Supreme Courts;
its experience preparing criminal trials;
how evidence and disclosure will be analysed;
when a barrister or KC should be briefed; and
the strategy for the next stage of the proceedings.
Specialist Accreditation can provide an important independent benchmark, but it should sit alongside demonstrated experience in serious criminal defence.
Frequently asked questions about Accredited Specialists in Criminal Law
What is a QLS Accredited Specialist in Criminal Law?
A QLS Accredited Specialist in Criminal Law is a solicitor who has satisfied the Queensland Law Society's formal Specialist Accreditation requirements in criminal law. QLS describes Accredited Specialists as demonstrating enhanced skills, superior knowledge, significant experience and high proficiency in their accredited field.
Is Specialist Accreditation difficult to obtain?
Specialist Accreditation is intended to be a meaningful professional distinction, not a title gained simply through years in practice. Applicants must meet strict eligibility and experience requirements and successfully complete a rigorous assessment program before accreditation is granted.
The distinction is significant. In 2026, there are approximately 1,300 solicitors practising criminal law in Qld, but only around 40 are recognised as Accredited Specialists in Criminal Law. Specialist Accreditation is therefore a credential held by only a small proportion of criminal lawyers in Queensland, and provides an important independent benchmark of advanced knowledge, skill and experience in criminal law.
Do I need an Accredited Specialist for a serious criminal charge?
There is no legal requirement to engage an Accredited Specialist. For a serious criminal charge, however, Specialist Accreditation demonstrates advanced knowledge, substantial experience and proven expertise specifically in criminal law. A criminal defence team led by an Accredited Specialist brings specialist expertise to the strategy, preparation and conduct of your case.
How do I find an Accredited Specialist in Criminal Law in Brisbane?
The Queensland Law Society Register of Solicitors allows you to search for Accredited Specialists by area of practice and location. You can use the register to independently verify whether a solicitor holds Specialist Accreditation in Criminal Law.
Ashworth Lawyers is a Brisbane criminal defence firm focused exclusively on criminal law and serious and complex criminal charges.
Speak to our Brisbane Criminal Lawyers on (07) 3012 6531. You can also request a confidential callback by filling in our Quick Enquiry form, which includes access to our free guide 16 Things You Need to Do Now if Charged with a Criminal Offence.
Further reading
Last updated September 2026.