CHILDREN ORDER PANEL 2023 APPLICATION FOR ACCREDITATION
OR RE-ACCREDITATION
The application process for accreditation, and re-accreditation, under The Children Order Panel Regulations 2016 is now open. The accreditation is valid for two years and will run from 1st November 2023 to 31st October 2025.
The application process is now conducted entirely online. No hard copy application form will be available. Details for each application type (First Time Accreditation and Re-Accreditation), documentation and a link to the online form are outlined on this page.
FIRST TIME ACCREDITATION
Those solicitors wishing to be accredited to the Children
Order Panel for the first time must meet a number of specific requirements, as follows:
- You are in private practice with a Practising Certificate issued by the Law Society of Northern Ireland at the date of accreditation (1st November 2021)
- You have at least three years post-qualification experience;
- You can demonstrate relevant experience and knowledge gained by representing parties in either public or private law proceedings under the Children Order (NI) 1995 or under the Children Act 1989 (if appropriate);
- You can demonstrate relevant training and private study;
- You agree to provide references as required;
- You are registered with the Criminal Justice Secure Mail (CJSM) system or there are exceptional circumstances as to why you are not registered;
- You have paid the non-refundable fee of £230.
Should your application be approved, you will be required to complete the following:
- A two-day training course hosted by the Society, in late September 2023;
- An examination in early October 2023;
- An interview with the Board in mid October 2023.
If you successfully complete all of these requirements your membership will commence on 1st November 2023.
RE-ACCREDITATION
Those solicitors who are currently members of the Panel, who do not re-apply, should note that their existing accreditation will expire as of midnight on 31st October 2023. The eligibility requirements for current members are outlined as follows:
- You are an existing Panel member;
- You are in private practice and have a Practising Certificate issued by the Law Society of Northern Ireland at the date of re-accreditation (1st November 2023);
- You submit the re-accreditation online application detailing your experience and updated training as a Panel solicitor in the last three years;
- You can demonstrate relevant experience and knowledge gained by representing parties in either public or private law proceedings under the Children Order (NI) 1995 or under the Children Act 1989 (if appropriate);
- You can demonstrate relevant training and private study;
- You agree to provide references as required;
- You are registered with the Criminal Justice Secure Mail (CJSM) system or there are exceptional circumstances as to why you are not registered;
DEADLINE
The deadline for applications under each application type is 4:00pm on Friday 10 September 2023. This is a strict deadline and late applications will not be accepted.
ONLINE APPLICATION & PAYMENT
The online application form for both application types is available HERE.
Payment is made via the online application form. On the payment page, please ensure you select the correct fee amount dependant on your application type.
REGULATIONS & DOCUMENTATION
Panel application and membership is regulated by The Children Order Panel Regulations 2016. Previous Children Order Regulations prior to 2016 have been repealed. A copy of the respective regulations is available for download below.
In addition to the Regulations, applicants should also familiarise themselves with the 2023 Accreditation Procedures and 2023 Guide to the Children Order Panel, which are both available for download below.