Continuing Professional Development

On 1 November 2011 a number of changes to solicitors' Continuing Professional Development will come into force (as outlined in the May Journal here).

The guidance is available in the column on the right.

The minimum number of hours that solicitors require to undertake per annum is 20 hours.

The executive summary of key changes is:

• The range of activities recognised for CPD has been extended, focussing on relevance, competence and enhancement of skills and compliance with the Society's conduct and service standards.
  
  These additional activities include structured coaching (such as one-to-one coaching or mentoring) and online training.
• The requirement to undertake a minimum of 15 hours group study no longer applies. There are now no group study requirements. Solicitors may undertake as many hours of group CPD as they feel appropriate but there is no set minimum level.
• Of their 20 minimum hours, solicitors will require to undertake a minimum of 15 hours of verifiable CPD.
• The restriction on the amount of personal study allowed has been removed.
• A maximum of five hours private study remains. However, the relaxation of the types of online and distance learning and the relaxation of the requirement to undertake 15 hours group study means that solicitors can undertake far more personal study if they so wish. 
• The requirement to undertake annual management CPD has been removed.
• The option of carrying back CPD hours will no longer be permitted.
• The option of carrying forward CPD hours will no longer be permitted.
• The restrictions on the types of Distance Learning and Online Learning have been relaxed. Rather than be prescriptive about how such courses are undertaken, whether an online or distance learning course is relevant will be for an individual solicitor to decide using their professional judgement.
• Formal pro-rata concessions for part-time work, locum work, unemployment and sabbatical leave will no longer be permitted.
• All solicitors will be required to plan, record and evaluate their annual CPD. Solicitors are encouraged to log the plan and record on the Society's website via their solicitors' login.
  
  Solicitors will be required to demonstrate that they have (i) identified their learning needs (ii) planned CPD activity to address those needs (iii) undertaken relevant CPD (iv) evaluated and justified the CPD activity, what was learnt, and how the lessons of the CPD activity can be put into practice

The Society has run a number of roadshows on this matter and representatives of the Society have been invited to speak at firms and faculties across Scotland.

If you would like to arrange a Faculty visit or would like more information please contact legaleduc@lawscot.org.uk.

As with all aspects of The Future of Legal Education and Training Project the Society would like to thank the solicitors from across the country that took part in this project for their assistance and enthusiasm.