Law Society Cpd Requirements 2021
If you recently have a practicum certificate for the first time or have resumed practice after a break, you may have additional CPD requirements for the initial period. See CPD Rule 10. There are a number of formal exceptions to CPD requirements. Lawyers may also apply to the Registrar for a waiver of the requirements. The circumstances in which waiver may be contemplated include, but are not limited to, layoffs and retirements. The following exceptions apply:1. Lawyers who suffer from a long-term illness – and who are absent from work for 10 weeks or more – in relation to the same illness in a practising year may reduce their CPD requirements in proportion to the number of weeks worked in the practice year, rounded up to the nearest full hour. To calculate the number of hours required, divide the number of hours worked by 2.6 and round up to the nearest whole number (e.g., lawyers who work between 37 and 39 weeks in a practice year must complete 15 hours of CPD).2. Lawyers on maternity, paternity or adoption leave may apply their CPD in proportion to the number of weeks worked in the year of practice, rounded up to the nearest full hour according to the formula above.3. Lawyers who return to practice in the practice year may reduce their CPD requirements in proportion to the number of weeks worked in the practice year, rounded up to the nearest full hour using the formula above.4.
Trainees admitted during the practical year must not follow any additional training before the beginning of the practical year following the end of their training contract (provided that they are subsequently admitted and have a traineeship certificate). Note: In each of the first three exceptions, the proportions of verifiable CPD and private education must be reduced proportionately. Keep up to date with your CPD requirements – check regulations and documentation for the current and past year. Only professionalism hours, including EDI professionalism hours, must be accredited by the Law Society. For information on certification standards and requirements, see CPD Licensee Accreditation. The decision was taken in the context of the current circumstances surrounding Covid-19, which has seen a very high number of cases in recent weeks. Since the end of February 2022, almost all Covid restrictions have been eased and we have seen a gradual return to work coupled with the return of our social and leisure lives. Nevertheless, the Committee is aware of the health concerns and reservations that some professionals may naturally have.
On behalf of society, the Committee advocates for the profession to be supported in continuing education and for lawyers to invest in themselves by providing CPD training. The company is therefore confident that the exemption from the online learning limit for 2022 will help the profession and bring comfort as we, as a society, continue to adapt and follow our path after the pandemic. You can claim to have successfully completed a practice management course for your CPD requirements. The CPD program is based on self-assessment of educational activities. If you find that an activity expands your knowledge and skills in areas relevant to your practice needs or professional development, you can claim the activity to meet the requirements of the CPP. See CPD Rule 7. There are a variety of ways to meet your CPD requirements. These include seminars, workshops, conferences, conferences, discussion groups, multimedia and web-based programmes, private study of audio-visual material, postgraduate studies, research, preparation and editing of articles, membership and participation in committees of professional associations, successful completion of the professional accreditation assessment process, preparation and presentation of seminars. For the complete list, see CPD Rule 8. Continuing Professional Development («CPD») is the systematic preservation, enhancement and expansion of relevant knowledge and skills so that a professional can successfully fulfill his or her professional obligations and responsibilities throughout his or her career.
CPD provides a practical framework for the profession to respond to changing client and societal demands, continually updating knowledge and skills, improving the efficiency and effectiveness of the profession, and enabling some practitioners to redefine their careers by acquiring new professional skills and areas of practice. The Law Society (the «Law Society») has considered the need for busy practitioners to meet CPD requirements through learning methods other than participation in traditional lectures.