COMPLETE YOUR CPD

We encourage all members to visit LawInform.com.au to book in your CPD. LawInform also has 250+ on-demand online offerings to help practitioners meet their CPD requirements. 

The Law Society Practice Management Course is being delivered online due to the current NSW Health Guidelines. Register via LawInform.com.au.

Important information about online CPD

Under the Legal Profession Uniform Continuing Professional Development (Solicitors) Rules 2015 (CPD rules), solicitors may complete online CPD in the form of:

• web-based programs (unlimited number of units); or
• private study of audio/visual material (capped at 5 units).

These rules are made under the Legal Profession Uniform Law framework and apply in NSW and Victoria.

In the extraordinary circumstances of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Law Society of NSW announced the Council’s decision not to enforce the 5-unit cap on private study of audio/visual material for the 2019-20 and 2020-21 CPD years.

This approach provided greater flexibility for solicitors to comply with their CPD requirements while CPD providers shifted their offerings online.

Given the now widespread availability of online CPD, the 5-unit cap on private study of audio/visual material will apply as normal in the 2021-22 CPD year.

When registering for online CPD, solicitors should be aware of the difference between web-based programs (uncapped) and private study of audio/visual material (capped at 5 units). The distinction is that:

• web-based programs provide opportunities for interaction with the material; whereas
• private study of audio/visual material is passive and does not provide opportunities for interaction.

Examples of interactivity which may be found in web-based programming include:

• real-time discussion among participants in ‘break-out’ rooms;
• a chat function or other facility to ask questions or post comments during an online seminar;
• quizzes, tests and polls to test existing knowledge of a topic, comprehension of the material being discussed, or ability to apply concepts in practice;
• scenarios that require a choice from various options to proceed.

Solicitors should also be aware that audio/visual material used for private study must be specifically designed for the purpose of updating a solicitor’s knowledge and/or skills relevant to their practice.

Please send any CPD questions to registry@lawsociety.com.au.

Solicitors who are unable to comply with their CPD requirements for any reason should seek an exemption or extension of time from the Law Society, before 31 March if possible.

An application for an extension of time or exemption from CPD requirements may be made by completing the appropriate form:

• For solicitors who anticipate not being able to meet their CPD requirements by 31 March – Application for extension of time to comply with CPD requirements
• For solicitors who anticipate not being able to meet their CPD requirements due to extenuating circumstances or an absence from practice – Application for exemption from CPD requirements

General information about CPD requirements can be accessed on the Law Society website here.