To keep their certificate, Australian lawyers must earn legal cpd points each year. This means keeping up with changes in legislation, improving their knowledge of the business of law, and presenting at legal conferences and seminars. While the rules are different in different jurisdictions, all lawyers must earn at least 12 points per year to remain in good standing.

Hearsay The Legal Podcast of Australia  require lawyers to earn CPD points annually. CPD categories include Professional Skills, Practice Management, Ethics and Professional Responsibility, and Substantive Law. Solicitors may fulfill their CPD requirements through live seminars, publication of legal articles, or online interactive learning modules.

There are some restrictions regarding what types of activities qualify as CPD. Private study of audio/visual materials is consider passive unless the lawyer actively participates. Fortunately, many law societies have made allowances for lawyers who can’t attend a CPD course. For example, the New South Wales Law Society doesn’t enforce a five-unit cap on private study. However, it is important to note that a lawyer can earn CPD points online through private study of audio/visual materials, but the material must be aimed at updating the solicitor’s knowledge and skills.

Lawyer CPD requirements vary across Australia. In Western Australia, individual practitioners must earn a minimum of 10 CPD points each year. This equates to a minimum of 3.5 hours of CPD per year. In the Northern Territory, CPD requirements are more relaxed, but there are specific rules for new practising certificates.

CPD rules differ by state, so it is important to check with your State’s governing body. In NSW, for example, the continuing legal education scheme is outlined in MCLE Rule 42 of the Solicitor’s Rules and Regulation 176 of the Legal Profession Regulation 2005. For a lawyer to receive 10 CPD points, he or she must complete 10 hours of CPD activities per year. Further, CPD activities must be relevant to the lawyer’s practice.

Lawyers may also apply for an exemption from the Lawyers CPD requirements if their circumstances make it difficult to keep up with the requirements. However, it is important to note that these requests are not automatically grant. Applicants must show proof that they have extenuating circumstances. This will be an essential part of their CPD.