Edinburgh-based Lawford Kidd has become the first firm of solicitors in Scotland to be accredited by the UK-wide Association of Personal Injury Lawyers (APIL). Founded in 1990 by a group of lawyers working on behalf of personal injury victims, the association has over 5000 members, including 29 individual solicitors north of the border. Its accreditation shows an APIL lawyer has achieved a specific standard and Lawford's accreditation as a firm will enable it to use the APIL kitemark to attract clients. The firm will have to comply with set standards of client care laid down by the association. Lawford Kidd, which will celebrate its 75th anniversary next year, specialises in personal injury-related claims and its client list includes a number of trade unions. One of the firm's particular areas of expertise is industrial diseases, and it is well known for fighting claims relating to asbestos and "vibration white finger" syndrome.