Recruitment of panel members
Our specialist accreditation panels play a crucial role in assessing applications from solicitors seeking specialist accreditation in their area of law. The panel are responsible for ensuring that the scheme’s high standards are consistently upheld.
We are now looking for experienced professionals to join our three new specialist accreditation panels.
Inquiries Law
The Inquiries Law specialism encompasses both Public Inquiries and Fatal Accident Inquiries. It addresses inquiries concerned with investigating and determining the circumstances surrounding specific categories of deaths occurring in Scotland, as well as matters of wider public significance. These may include major public projects, public policy considerations, health‑related issues, and potential miscarriages of justice.
Family Creation and Fertility Law
The Family Creation and Fertility Law specialism encompasses all aspects of Fertility Law and alternative pathways to family creation. This includes matters relating to surrogacy, donor conception, assisted conception, and the use of adoption as a route to forming a family, both within the UK and in cases involving an international dimension.
Adults with Incapacity Mediation
We are delighted to expand our current mediator accreditations to include Adults with Incapacity. Individuals must demonstrate the breadth and depth of their mediation experience, ongoing professional development and training, and engagement in related activities such as public speaking, delivering training, and publishing articles on mediation.
Why join
• Contribute to the building of expertise in one of the above areas of law
• Collaborate with other experts in developing the accreditation and assessment
• Play an essential role in strengthening the credibility of the accreditation process
About the role
Before the new accreditation is launched, the panel will review the applicant criteria to ensure it is appropriate and achievable. The panel will also appoint one of its members to act as panel convener.
Once the accreditation is launched the on-going requirement of panel members is to:
- Consider applications from solicitors to be accredited as specialists on an ad hoc basis. Most applications are assessed by each panel member individually and remotely, with an occasional meeting of the Panel. Where a meeting is required, attendance by video conference will always be available.
- Complete and submit a score sheet within 14 days, setting out a score for each individual application against the criteria.
- Consider requests to review a refused application, and to complete and return a score sheet for the same within 14 days.
- Be available to attend meetings of the panel called by the convener, either in person or by video conference.
- Adhere to the Operation Rules for Accreditation Panels.
About the candidates
Ideally you should be able to demonstrate the following:
- Have an in-depth knowledge of the law and practice of law as a solicitor or in any other role such as in academia, or as advocate.
- Be able to consider and assess each application against agreed criteria to reach a concise and well-reasoned decision.
- Be able to consider each application independently, and to a specific deadline.
- A commitment to and enthusiasm for the work of the specialist accreditation panel.
Time commitment
Panel members will review applications and occasionally join assessment discussions. While the time required may vary with the number of applications, the workload is light and shared across the panel.
How to apply
We are looking to recruit six panel members, of which one member will act as convener. All applications will be assessed by an independent panel.
To apply please download an application form and return this to specialistaccreditation@lawscot.org.uk by noon on Monday 2nd February 2026.
If you have any queries about this vacancy or require the application form in an alternative format, please contact lauramcbain@lawscot.org.uk.
