Seniors Rights Service welcomes today’s announcement from the Law Society of New South Wales that it is establishing a Specialist Accreditation program in Elder Law.
“Elder law is increasing in scope and complexity, and older people in our state often have legal needs that transcend the existing specialist practice areas,” says Ken Beilby, Seniors Rights Service Principal Solicitor and Manager of Legal Services.
“The addition of an Elder Law Specialist Accreditation is a welcome recognition that legal practitioners need specific experience, to meet the complex legal needs of older people,” Ken adds.
An accredited Elder Law practitioner will be one who has at least three years’ experience in the legal specialty, and with at least twenty-five percent of their practice dedicated to that area of law.
The move to include Elder Law as a distinct specialty came after Law Society members identified that Elder Law has emerged as a distinct practice area; separate to for example Wills and Estates law. The decision regarding an Elder Law Specialist Accreditation was made recently by the Society and announced today as part of the Law Society’s Specialist Accreditation Conference.
Elder Law as a practice area involves
- Drafting and advising on accommodation issues
- Drafting and advising on enduring appointments such as power of attorney and enduring guardianship
- Acting in Supreme Court matters relating to financial elder abuse, and
- Acting in NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal hearings on matters relating to Accommodation, Delegated Decision Making, and Assisted Decision Making.
“Given the growing proportion of older people in our aging population, recognising Elder Law as a specific and standalone complex area of law is a timely measure and Seniors Rights Service commends the Law Society for taking this step.
“Legal practitioners who achieve this specialist accreditation will be well placed to support the needs of older people.” Ken concludes.
