What about writing a JSF validator that allows you to specify the current username (or user object) as a parameter: <my:validateUnique oldValue="#{user.username}" /> The logic would be something like: if (value == oldValue) { | return true; | } else { | // get the list | return list.isEmpty(); | } (NB I've not tested this idea) View the original post : http://www.jboss.com/index.html?module=bb&op=viewtopic&p=3963031#... Reply to the post : http://www.jboss.com/index.html?module=bb&op=posting&mode=reply&a...