The SRA Handbook is no longer in effect. It was replaced by the SRA Standards and Regulations on 25 November 2019.

SRA Handbook

CPD requirements upon return to full-time or part-time legal practice or employment following a suspension during the newly admitted or registered period

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Version 7 of the Handbook was published on 01/04/2013. For more information, please click 'History' Above

Regulation 13: CPD requirements upon return to full-time or part-time legal practice or employment following a suspension during the newly admitted or registered period

13.1

Upon your return to full-time or part-time legal practice or employment, your CPD requirements will be dependent upon the length of time you have worked from the date of your admission to the roll or registration with us.

13.2

If you have:

(a)

suspended the requirements in the newly admitted or newly registered period; and

(b)

not worked at all from the date of admission or registration;

you must undertake one hour of CPD for each complete month from the date of your return, up to the end of the CPD year.

13.3

If you:

(a)

suspended the requirements in the newly admitted or newly registered period; but

(b)

worked following the date of your admission or registration;

you must undertake one hour for each month before and after the suspension if returning before the end of the CPD year.

13.4

If you have not completed all of your CPD requirement for the period before the suspension began you should make up any shortfall and undertake the requisite number of hours when you return to work. We may grant an extension of time if necessary.

Guidance note to 13.2:

(i)

If you have not worked at all from the date of your admission to the roll, or of registration with us, you will be treated as newly admitted on your return regardless of the length of the suspension.

(ii)

The newly admitted or registered period covers the first 12 months following the date of your admission or registration.

Guidance note to 13.3:

(i)

If you have completed all of your CPD requirement for the period before the suspension began you may, upon returning to work, choose one of the following options:

(a)

if you return on or before 1 May, undertake two hours for every complete month up to the end of the CPD year, up to a maximum of 16 hours, attending if you feel necessary due to the length of the suspension, the Financial and Business Skills (but you would not be required to attempt or pass the examination) and Client Care and Professional Standards modules of the PSC; or

(b)

if you return after 1 May, undertake at least 12 hours, attending, if you feel necessary due to the length of the suspension, the Financial and Business Skills (but you would not be required to attempt or pass the examination) and Client Care and Professional Standards modules of the PSC.

(ii)

Either option would count as completion of the first CPD year.

Guidance note to 13.4:

(i)

In determining whether you have completed your requirements you may count the following circumstances as a complete CPD year:

(a)

accrual of at least 12 hours of CPD and attendance, where appropriate, at a compulsory course or the Financial and Business Skills (but not the examination) and Client Care and Professional Standards modules of the PSC, whichever was applicable at the time before the suspension began;

(b)

accrual of at least 12 hours of CPD and attendance, where appropriate, at a compulsory course or the Financial and Business Skills (but not the examination) and Client Care and Professional Standards modules of the PSC between the date of your return and the end of the CPD year; or

(c)

accrual of a total of 12 hours during the period before the suspension began added to the amount required from the date of your return to the end of the CPD year, plus, where appropriate attendance at a compulsory course or the Financial and Business Skills (but not the examination) and Client Care and Professional Standards modules of the PSC.