Accreditation
Accreditation licences
There are two kinds of accreditation licence. Both are granted for a fixed term, both carry conditions, and both can be taken away.
Provisional accreditation licence
Issued where the Council is satisfied that an institution is in substantial compliance with the standards and is suitable and competent to offer Law Practice Training, but has not yet achieved full compliance. It provides a two-year window in which to reach full compliance.
Conditions of issue
- The institution is in substantial compliance with the standards and is suitable and competent to offer or provide Law Practice Training.
- The institution presents a plan for bringing itself into full compliance within two years, indicating the specific actions to be taken.
- The licence specifies the law programme the institution may offer, and any other terms and conditions the Council considers necessary.
Act 1170 · s.26
At a glance
| Duration | Two years from the date of issue |
|---|---|
| Basis | Substantial, but not yet full, compliance |
| Application for a full licence | Not earlier than one year and not later than two years after issue |
| Compliance plan | Required at the time of issue |
| Legal basis | Act 1170 · s.26 |
Failure to obtain a full accreditation licence within four years of the grant of a provisional licence is a ground for revocation.
Full accreditation licence
Issued where the Council is satisfied that the applicant is in full compliance with all the standards set by the Council. It is the highest level of accreditation recognition.
At a glance
| Duration | Three years from the date of issue |
|---|---|
| Duration on re-accreditation | Five years |
| Prerequisite | A provisional accreditation licence, typically |
| Inspection | Every academic year (s.35) |
| Legal basis | Act 1170 · s.27-29 |
What an application must contain
- A copy of the provisional accreditation licence.
- Information on the administrative structure of the institution.
- Information on the curriculum and teaching methodology.
- Evidence of full compliance with the standards set by the Council.
- The prescribed fee.
Act 1170 · s.27-29
The Council refers the application to the Accreditation Committee, which reviews the documents, evaluates the premises of the law programme on site, and presents a written evaluation report to the Council.
Display and publication
An accredited institution must display its licence conspicuously at its registered office, at the facility where the law programme runs, and on its website. The Council must publish the name of the licensee in the Gazette, in at least one daily newspaper of nationwide circulation, and on this website, within fourteen days of issuing the licence.
The public register on this website is that publication. If an institution claims a licence that does not appear in the register, treat the claim with caution and contact the Council.
Suspension and revocation
A licence is not permanent. The Act sets out when the Council may take one away, and the notice an institution is entitled to first.
Grounds for suspension
- Using a falsified document or submitting false information in the application.
- Failing to comply with the terms and conditions of the accreditation licence.
- Failing to comply with a provision of the Act or Regulations made under it.
The Council must give fifteen days' written notice of an intention to suspend, with an opportunity to make representations or remedy the breach.
Act 1170 · s.32
Grounds for revocation
- Failing to remedy a breach that resulted in suspension.
- Failing to comply with the standards set by the Council.
- Failing to obtain a full accreditation licence within four years of the grant of a provisional licence.
- Being unable to demonstrate an ability to execute compliance plans.
The Council must give fifteen days' written notice of an intention to revoke, with an opportunity to make written representations.
Act 1170 · s.34
An institution can appeal
An institution aggrieved by a decision on a licence may appeal to the Legal Education Appeals Tribunal within twenty-one days, and from there to the High Court on a point of law.