How many CPD points do I need for law NSW?
If you’re a lawyer in New South Wales, you may be wondering how many continuing professional development (CPD) points you need to earn each year. Well, wonder no more!
First off, let’s talk about what legal CPD is. Essentially, it’s a way for lawyers to stay up-to-date on changes in the law and developments in the legal profession. It’s important for lawyers to earn a certain number of CPD points each year in order to maintain their practicing certificates.
Continuing professional development (CPD) or continuing legal education (CLE) requirements are set out in the Legal Profession Uniform Continuing Professional Development (Solicitors) Rules 2015 for solicitors and the Legal Profession Uniform Continuing Professional Development (Barristers) Rules 2015 for barristers.
These rules apply to Australian lawyers in jurisdictions which have enacted legislation to reflect the Uniform Law. As of 2022, these jurisdictions are NSW, Victoria and Western Australia.
So, how many points do you need to earn each year in New South Wales? Well, the answer is: lawyers covered by the Uniform Law are required to complete ten (10) CPD units each year. Within those ten (10) units Australian lawyers must include at least one (1) CPD unit every CLE year in each of the following compulsory fields:
- Ethics and professional responsibility
- Practice management and business skills
- Professional skills
- Substantive law
Requirements are slightly different in non-Uniform Law states and it’s best to check with the law society or other regulator of your jurisdiction of practice.
Now, you might be thinking, “But wait, I don’t want to spend all my time earning legal CPD points! I want to spend my time practicing law and helping my clients!” And we totally get that. That’s why Hearsay the Legal Podcast makes it as easy as possible to fulfill your legal CPD requirements. Best of all, it is in a fun, conversational format that is more engaging than a typical legal CPD seminar.
In conclusion, if you’re a lawyer in New South Wales, you need to earn at least 10 CPD points per year in each of the 4 categories above. And don’t worry, there are plenty of ways to earn those points that won’t take up all your time. So, go forth and continue your professional development!