WHAT IS CPD?
CPD (Continuing Professional Development) refers to the ongoing training and professional development requirements for certain professionals. These requirements are imposed by the profession’s governing body, by regulations, or both. Professionals who are subject to CPD requirements must accumulate a specified number of “CPD points” each year. Points are obtained by undertaking a variety of activities designed to improve the individual’s knowledge of the industry in which he works, thereby ensuring a high standard of service to the public. Such activities may include: attending seminars, writing articles, writing books, lecturing, marking exam papers, doing relevant research and so on. Please check with your governing body for its specific educational requirements.
Solicitors
The Law Society has published regulations containing its minimum CPD requirements for solicitors in the years 2013, 2014 and 2015. In 2013 solicitors are required to clock up a minimum of 14 CPD “points”. One point normally equates to one hour of CPD so that, for example, you will receive 2 points for attending a 2-hour CPD seminar. However, at least 3 of these 14 points must be obtained for CPD concerning “Management and Professional Skills”. This term is broadly defined and covers: professional ethics, financial and business management, human resource (HR) management, budget control, practice management skills, computer skills, language enhancement relevant to the practice of law, professional ethics, advocacy and client care, stress management, compliance issues, regulatory matters, etc. This list is not exhaustive. The list is non-exhaustive. At least one hour of CPD must be given to “Regulatory matters”, which means “matters relating to the Solicitors Acts 1954 to 2008 and regulations made thereunder, to the current Guide to Professional Conduct of Solicitors in Ireland, risk management, professional ethics, to the maintenance of standards and best practice in complying with regulatory obligations applicable to solicitors, to the processing of complaints against solicitors by the Society and to the functions of the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal and the Courts in relation to solicitors and decisions relating thereto”. With a couple of exceptions, CPD must be undertaken as part of a group of 3 or more people.
Click HERE to download a copy of the Law Society’s CPD booklet.
Barristers
CPD for Irish barristers is regulated by the Bar Council of Ireland. Each barrister is required to accumulate at least 10 CPD points in a single “cycle” and a cycle means the period beginning from 1st October each year and ending 30th September the following year. The general rule is that a single point is available for one hour of CPD activity. The Bar Council does not provide an exhaustive list of approved CPD activity, however, it includes: attending seminars, reading and writing articles, presentations, writing books, correcting exams, certain pro bono work etc. Where a barrister achieves more than 10 hours in a given CPD cycle then he/she may carry any excess points over to the following year, up to a maximum of 5 points. More information on CPD for barristers is available here.
Accountants
CPD for accountants is regulated by the various accountancy bodies and each has its own requirements. For example, the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) provides various “routes” for its members to meet their CPD obligations. Amongst these is the “unit route” option which allows a member to personally organise his/her CPD attendances. This option requires 40 hours of CPD per year (for example by attending seminars, writing articles etc). Other options include attendances at events organised by the accountant’s employer or participating in the employer’s professional development programme. Please note that not all of our courses are accredited for the purposes of the LIA but please enquire at the time of booking and we will do our best to arrange accreditation for you.
