Laura Shirley reports on how the SRA intends to overhaul the CPD treadmill
For many busy solicitors, CPD can too often be seen as little more than a tick box exercise—something that has to be done to remain eligible to practise. But such an approach fails to realise the potential of CPD to maintain and enhance the competence, performance and ethical conduct of solicitors, and to assist solicitors in progressing their careers.
The current compulsory scheme was introduced in 1985 and only minor amendments have been made since its introduction. The main benefit of the scheme has always been its flexibility:
- Only 25% of the requirement must be met through participation in accredited courses.
- The remainder may be met through a wide range of other activities including writing articles, participating in informal mentoring sessions, research relating to legal topics, and watching DVDs or webcasts.
Other than the mandatory management course that solicitors attend within the first three years following admission, and specific requirements for higher court advocates, we do not specify how the annual 16 hour CPD requirement should be met,
