Continuing professional development
Since 1985, we have operated a compulsory continuing professional development scheme (CPD scheme). Over the years, it has evolved into a system guided by the principles of simplicity and flexibility.
Solicitors are encouraged to assume responsibility for their own development by choosing from the wide range of activities that can be pursued in order to meet the yearly CPD requirement.
All solicitors and registered European lawyers (RELs) who
- are in legal practice or employment in England and Wales, and
- work 32 hours or more per week
are required to complete a minimum of 16 hours of CPD per year; at least 25 per cent must consist of participation in accredited training courses.
For solicitors and RELs who work fewer than 32 hours per week, the requirements are reduced.
If you're a solicitor or REL and need help locating a CPD provider, you may find it useful to search
- our listings of external authorised CPD providers, and
- the Law Society's events listings.
To ensure the quality of accredited training offered to solicitors, we operate an authorisation scheme for CPD training providers.
- Are you interested in becoming an in-house CPD provider? Learn how to apply for authorisation.
- Is your company, organisation or institution interested in becoming an external CPD provider? Learn how to apply for authorisation.