Navigating the Law Society’s CPD Accreditation Process: A Guide for Licensees

As legal professionals, maintaining and enhancing our skills and knowledge is paramount to our continued success and the delivery of quality service to our clients. The Law Society’s Continuing Professional Development (CPD) requirement ensures that licensees engage in ongoing education to stay abreast of developments in the legal field and uphold professional standards. Understanding the CPD accreditation process is essential for fulfilling these obligations effectively.

CPD Requirement Overview:

The Law Society mandates that licensees complete a minimum of 12 hours of Eligible Educational Activities each calendar year. These activities are divided into two categories:

1. Professionalism Hours: Consisting of a minimum of 3 hours, including 1 hour dedicated to Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) Professionalism.
2. Substantive Hours: Comprising the remaining 9 hours.

Professionalism Hours must be accredited by the Law Society, while Substantive Hours need not undergo accreditation.

CPD Accreditation Process:

If a program or activity has not been accredited for professionalism, but a licensee wishes to count it towards their CPD Professionalism Hours requirement, the following steps must be taken:

1. Review Accreditation Criteria: Ensure that the program or activity addresses the Accreditation Criteria set forth by the Law Society.
2. Apply for CPD Accreditation: Utilize the CPD Accreditation Platform to submit an application for accreditation. Accreditation must be granted by the Law Society to qualify for Professionalism Hours.

Accreditation Criteria:

The Accreditation Criteria encompass various aspects of professionalism, client service, practice management, ethical advocacy, and equality, diversity, and inclusion. Some key criteria include:

• Ethics and Professional Responsibility: Addressing obligations outlined in professional conduct rules, such as confidentiality, conflict of interest management, and fee requirements.
• Client Service: Focusing on aspects like effective communication, client interviewing, and fiduciary obligations.
• Practice Management: Covering areas such as financial management, staff training, and risk management.
• Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI): Emphasizing the promotion of diversity and inclusion within the legal profession and addressing topics like unconscious bias and workplace diversity best practices.

Evaluation Factors:

When assessing programs or activities for accreditation, the following factors are considered:

• Relevance to core professionalism principles.
• Minimum time allocated to professionalism content (15 minutes).
• Learning level of subject matter and target audience.
• Overall learning context.

Conclusion:

Navigating the CPD accreditation process is vital for licensees to fulfill their educational requirements and uphold professional standards. By understanding the criteria and following the accreditation process diligently, legal professionals can ensure they engage in meaningful educational activities that contribute to their professional growth and development.