The current Continuing Professional Development (‘CPD’) provisions require solicitors to undertake 20 hours of CPD each year, no more than 50% of which may be undertaken online. For the 2020 and 2021 CPD cycles, in response to the pandemic, the Education Committee issued a derogation from this requirement, enabling the entire 20 hours to be completed online.

Given that we are at the beginning of the year, we do not know what shape 2022 is going to take from a public health perspective. A couple of months ago, large in-person CPD events were occurring, and we hope that before too long such can occur again, in conjunction with the return of our social and recreational lives. The question of a derogation for 2022 will be considered in the spring when hopefully the national direction of travel in respect of the pandemic is clearer. In the interim, it should not need saying that no solicitor should consider offering or undertaking CPD in a manner that would not be in compliance with public health guidance.

At the Annual General Meeting, a motion was passed asking the Education Committee to consider permitting all CPD to be undertaken online. This motion does not alter the current provisions and the Education Committee will in the course of its work for 2022 consider that matter as requested.

Any alterations to the CPD requirements, whether arising from the public health circumstances or the Education Committee’s review of the CPD provisions, will be communicated to the profession.

If clarification on this or any other aspect of the current CPD Scheme is required, please contact the CPD Scheme Unit for assistance.