CPD Requirements
The requirements relating to CPD (continued professional development) / CPC (continued professional competence) differ depending on your Regulator.
Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) Arrangements - in transition
The current CPD requirements are set out in The SRA Training Regulations 2011 Part 3 - CPD Regulations. Detailed information about these requirements can be found via the following link: https://www.sra.org.uk/solicitors/handbook/cpd/content.page
The new approach to ensuring Continued Professional Competence requires solicitors to comply with Principle 5 of the SRA’s Code of Conduct 2011 and the requirement set out therein to provide a proper standard of service by:
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Reflecting on the quality of their practice by reference to the Competence Statement for Solicitors and addressing identified learning & development needs
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Making an annual declaration that they have considered their training needs and taken measure to maintain their competence.
This is an outcomes based approach to continued competence rather than an hours based approach to professional development.
The SRA’s Statement of Solicitor Competence and Continued Competence Toolkit (links below) will help you identify your learning and development needs.
https://www.sra.org.uk/solicitors/competence-statement.page
https://www.sra.org.uk/toolkit/
If you are in any doubt about the current or new arrangements you can contact us for our advice. All our courses are mapped to the competence statement and have been designed to help you maintain competence under Principle 5 of the SRA’s Code of Conduct 2011.
SRA Higher Court Advocates - maintaining competence
Higher Court Advocates fall within the requirement under Principle 5 of the SRA’s Code of Conduct 2011 to provide a proper standard of service by reflecting on the quality of their practice by reference to the Competence Statement for Solicitors and addressing identified learning & development needs.
Together with other Regulators the SRA has identified advocacy as an area of particular risk. It is therefore essential that you continually review and assess your competence to undertake advocacy in the higher courts. We are established advocacy trainers and all of our advocacy continued competency courses are delivered by experienced HCAs and are designed to help you maintain your competence as an advocate.
Bar Standards Board (BSB)
The BSB operates a detailed CPD scheme, details of which can be found on their website:
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Although Altior has not registered any of its courses with the BSB for accreditation, members of the Bar are welcome to attend any of our programmes for personal development.
Institute of Paralegals
The IoP operates the oldest CPD scheme for paralegals in England and Wales.
https://www.theiop.org/training/paralegal-careers-advice.html
Most of our courses are designed and suitable for all lawyers and will help you to satisfy the rigorous requirements of the IoP’s CPD scheme.
Chartered Institute of Legal Executives
CPD requirements will vary depending upon your status within CILEx. For full information, please refer to the CILEx Regulation Website or follow these links:
https://www.cilexregulation.org.uk/cpd/cpd-the-cpd-scheme
We work very closely with CILEx Regulation to ensure that our courses meet their expectations and those of their professionals. Please contact us if you have any questions about this.
Note: Whilst we have endeavoured to provide a summary of the various CPD / CPC schemes, and have provided links to relevant websites, there is no substitute for checking with your Regulator if you are in any doubt about your learning and development requirements.