Any qualified solicitor in Scotland is entitled to take on family law work, which means the fact that a firm “does divorce” tells you very little about how experienced they actually are in it. One of the clearest, most reliable signals of genuine expertise is the Law Society of Scotland Accredited Specialist in Family Law designation — and understanding what it represents helps you choose well.
What the accreditation is
The Law Society of Scotland runs an accreditation scheme that formally recognises solicitors who have demonstrated a higher level of knowledge and experience in a particular area of law. Family Law is one of those recognised specialisms (Child Law is another). A solicitor who holds the accreditation has been independently assessed as having genuine, demonstrable expertise in the field — it is not a title a solicitor can simply adopt.
How it is earned
To become an Accredited Specialist, a solicitor must satisfy the Law Society that they have substantial, current experience in the field, provide evidence of their expertise, and be supported in their application. The accreditation is not permanent either — it must be renewed periodically, which means an accredited specialist has to keep their expertise current rather than resting on a qualification earned years ago. This ongoing requirement is part of what makes the designation meaningful.
Why it matters when choosing a solicitor
Family law is technical, and the stakes — your finances, your home, your time with your children — are high. Instructing a solicitor with recognised specialist accreditation gives you a degree of assurance that:
- They deal with family law regularly, not occasionally alongside conveyancing or wills;
- Their knowledge has been independently verified against a professional standard;
- They keep up to date, because the accreditation must be maintained.
In some parts of Scotland, accredited specialists are relatively scarce, so their presence in a firm is a genuine point of distinction. In our city guides you will notice that we highlight which firms have accredited specialists precisely because it is one of the more objective quality signals available.
What it does not tell you
Accreditation is a strong signal, but it is not the only thing that matters. A solicitor without the formal accreditation may still be highly experienced and excellent, and factors such as approach, communication style, cost, and whether the person feels right for you are all important too. Think of accreditation as one powerful indicator among several — a reason to shortlist a firm, not the only question to ask. Our guide on questions to ask before you instruct a solicitor covers the rest.
Our city guides note where firms hold specialist family law accreditation, alongside other credentials worth considering.
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Compare Solicitors →Disclaimer: This article is general information about the law in Scotland and is not legal advice. It may not reflect the most recent changes in the law. Always consult a qualified solicitor about your own circumstances.