Criminal Lawyers Melbourne
What is an accredited specialist?
The Law Institute of Victoria administers a scheme of accreditation of member solicitors in a number of areas of practice, including criminal law.
The stated aims of the scheme are as follows:
- Being an Accredited Specialist offers potential clients a reliable means of identifying solicitors with special competence in particular areas of practice, as recognised by their peers and the Law Institute of Victoria.
- Provides incentive and opportunity for solicitors to attain higher levels of competence in their chosen areas of practice.
- Encourages improvement in the quality, speed and cost-efficiency of legal services.
The standard is a difficult one to attain. Applicants must have at least five years’ full-time practice (or equivalent), and a substantial involvement in the area of specialisation during the three years prior to application.
In criminal law, candidates are required to pass three examinations, including an advocacy exercise. There is then an ongoing reaccreditation requirement every three years, and compulsory completion of 12 hours of continuing professional development units each year.
Further information can be obtained from the Law Institute of Victoria website at http://www.liv.asn.au/Education—Events/Accredited-Specialisation.
Dr Marich was accredited as a Law Institute of Victoria criminal law specialist in 2008. She is now a member of the Criminal Law Specialisation Advisory Committee. She is the only current practising solicitor in Australia who is both an accredited specialist and the holder of a doctoral degree in law, so that you can be certain that she has both the highest level of understanding of the law, and the practical expertise necessary to ensure the best result in your case.
