Think before you tick! Do not mislead the Law Society if you certify that you have met the requirements of your CPD as part of the articling certificate. For more information, please contact the CPD Programme Unit on 01 672 4802 or by email cpdscheme@lawsociety.ie. Only professionalism hours, including EDI professionalism hours, must be accredited by the Law Society. For information on certification standards and requirements, see CPD Licensee Accreditation. Useful links and websites related to continuing professional development requirements for registered CORU members. Lawyers should note that in the event of non-compliance with the annual CPD requirements, they must automatically provide evidence of compliance with their CPD obligations for a period of two years, in addition to the cycle in which they were not met. Current continuing professional development (CPD) rules require lawyers to complete 20 hours of training each year, of which no more than 50% can be completed online. For the 2020 and 2021 CPD cycles, the Education Committee issued an exemption from this requirement in response to the pandemic, allowing the full 20 hours to be completed online. Any changes to CPD requirements, whether due to public health circumstances or the Education Committee`s review of CPD regulations, will be notified to the profession. Keep up to date with your CPD requirements – check regulations and documentation for the current and past year. The decision was taken in the context of the current circumstances surrounding Covid-19, which has seen a very high number of cases in recent weeks. Since the end of February 2022, almost all Covid restrictions have been eased and we have seen a gradual return to work coupled with the return of our social and leisure lives. Nevertheless, the Committee is aware of the health concerns and reservations that some professionals may naturally have.
On behalf of society, the Committee advocates for the profession to be supported in continuing education and for lawyers to invest in themselves by providing CPD training. The company is therefore confident that the exemption from the online learning limit for 2022 will help the profession and bring comfort as we, as a society, continue to adapt and follow our path after the pandemic. At its March 2022 meeting, the Education Committee decided that the 50% online learning limit (modified or not) will be lifted for the 2022 CPD cycle. As a result, lawyers can complete the full 2022 CPD 20-hour requirement (including minimum requirements in the Management Skills and Professional Development and Regulatory Issues categories) online. This derogation expires on 31 December 2022 and does not set a precedent for 2023 or subsequent years. A comprehensive review of the Early Years Program Description, including the limit of online learning, is underway. The Law Society of Ireland does not accredit any course or course provider. Lawyers holding a certificate of practice from the Law Society of Ireland and European lawyers registered with the Law Society of Ireland and holding current certificates of qualification may use PLI credits to meet CPD requirements.
The 50% eLearning limit (modified or not) will be lifted for the 2022 cycle. Lawyers can now complete the full 2022 CPD 20-hour requirement (including minimum requirements in the Management Skills and Professional Development and Regulatory Issues categories) online. The Law Society is the educational institution for lawyers in Ireland. We also offer a range of courses for lawyers, articling students and members of the public. Lawyers are not required to send their CPD record and supporting documentation to the CPD Program Unit unless they are selected for review. There is no provision for prior compliance. There are three different ways to meet the CPD minimum requirement for 2022 – group study format and/or through online learning and/or writing relevant published material.
