Standard requirements

The standard 2024 CPD requirement is 25 hours, which must include:

1. a minimum of 5 hours of Professional Development and Solicitor Wellbeing and
2. a minimum of 3 hours of Client Care and Professional Standards.
3. In addition, a minimum of 5 of the 25 hours must be completed by Group Study. Group study requires physical attendance at an organised session of CPD undertaken by 3 or more persons, for a period of not less than 30 minutes.
4. If you are a sole practitioner or a compliance partner and/or an anti-money laundering compliance partner, you must also complete at least 1 hour on Accounting and Anti-Money Laundering Compliance as part of your 25 hours CPD.

Modified/reduced CPD requirement

The standard CPD requirement can be modified / reduced in certain circumstances. More information is available in the CPD Scheme booklet. These include the following categories and special circumstances:

• Newly admitted solicitor;

• Senior practitioner;

• Maternity/parental/carers/adoptive leave;

• Illness/retirement/unemployment;

• Part-year practice;

• Part-time practice.

A maximum of 80% of your minimum CPD requirement (modified or otherwise) may be claimed for time spent in relevant eLearning per year.

A minimum of 20% of your CPD requirement (modified or otherwise) must be completed by group study per year.

Applications to the Education Committee

If for reason of long term illness or extenuating circumstances you cannot complete the CPD requirement, you may make an application for special dispensation. The application must be accompanied by a Medical Certificate and written verification from your employer confirming the period of leave dates during 2024. Please ensure you are logged into the Society’s website, with your solicitor number, prior to submitting your application.

If you find that you are unable to fulfil your 2024 CPD requirement by 31 December 2024, you can make an application for an extension of time. You should submit proofs of any CPD you have completed during 2024, together with confirmation from your employer of your working arrangements during 2024 (if claiming a modification). Please ensure you are logged into the Society’s website, with your solicitor number, prior to submitting your application.

Non-compliance

Where a solicitor fails to meet their annual CPD requirement, they will be automatically required to provide proof of compliance with their CPD obligations for a period of two years after such non-compliance, in addition to the cycle in which the non-compliance occurred.

Further Information

The CPD regulations, Scheme booklet and record card are available to download from the CPD Scheme section in the ‘For Solicitors – Regulation Answers’ area of the Law Society’s website

For advice on the CPD Scheme generally, contact the CPD Scheme Unit at cpdscheme@lawsociety.ie