Definition of the CILEx CPD development scheme
Continuing Professional Development
(CPD) is defined as:
“The systematic maintenance, improvement and extension of the
professional and legal skills, and personal qualities, necessary
for the execution of professional and legal duties, and compliance
with the standards required by the Institute throughout the
Associate Member's, Graduate Member's, Associate
Prosecutor's or Chartere Legal Executive's working
life.”
CPD was introduced in line with the best practices of
professional bodies. It accords with the Lord Chancellor’s Advisory
Committee’s report which concluded that “the public interest
requires greater commitment by the legal profession as a whole to
regular CPD throughout the career of every lawyer”. CPD is often
referred to as “lifelong learning”.
CPD Requirements
CPD is compulsory for all Associate Members, Graduate Members,
Associate Prosecutors and Chartered Legal Executives. The CPD
year runs from 1st January – 31st December. During the year 2010 an
Associate Member is required to complete a minimum of 8 hours
of CPD, a Graduate Member is required to complete a minimum of 12
hours of CPD and Associate Prosecutors and Chartered
Legal Executives are required to complete a minimum of 16 hours
of CPD.
Chartered Legal
Executives
The 16 hour requirement for Chartered Legal
Executives to complete CPD is divided into two broad
categories:
(i)
Specialist Training
Fellows are required to choose their area of
specialisation by marking the area in their online CPD logbook.
This will usually be the main area of work in which the Chartered
Legal Executive lawyer practises but, where they work in a
more general capacity, they may designate a specialist area of
their choice. Chartered Legal Executives are required to
undertake a minimum of 8 hours CPD training in their chosen
specialist area.
(ii)
Non-specialist Training
The remaining 8 hours may be taken in any
area(s) of the Chartered Legal Executive's choice (which
may also be in their areas of specialisation if they wish) which
they consider would be of benefit to them in their daily role. This
may include non-legal work such as management training, or the
development of communication skills or information technology
skills.
Graduate Members
The 12 hour requirement for Graduate Members to complete
CPD is divided into two broad categories:
(i)
Specialist Training
Graduate Members are required to designate
their area of specialisation, by marking the area in their online
CPD logbook. This will usually be the main area of work in which
the Graduate Member practises but, where Graduate Members
work in a more general capacity, they may choose a specialist area
of their choice. Graduate Members are required to undertake a
minimum of 6 hours CPD training in their chosen specialist
area.
(ii)
Non-specialist Training
The remaining 6 hours may be taken in any
area(s) of the Graduate Member's choice (which may also be in
their areas of specialisation if they wish) which they consider
would be of benefit to them in their daily role. This may include
non-legal work such as management training, communication skills
or the development of information technology skills.
Associate Members
The 8 hour requirement for Associate
Members to complete CPD is divided into two broad categories:
(i) Specialist
Training
Associate Members are required to
designate their area of specialisation, by marking the area in
their online CPD logbook. This will usually be the main area of
work in which the Associate Member practises but,
where Associate Members work in a more general capacity,
they may choose a specialist area of their
choice. Associate Members are required to undertake a
minimum of 4 hours CPD training in their chosen specialist
area.
(ii) Non-specialist
Training
The remaining 4 hours may be taken in
any area(s) of Associate Members choice (which may also
be in their areas of specialisation if they wish) which they
consider would be of benefit to them in their daily role. This may
include non-legal work such as management training, communication
skills or the development of information technology skills.
Recording CPD
2009/2010
Chartered Legal Executive lawyers and Graduate Members
will be required (in February 2010) to declare that the CPD
listed in it for the 2009 CPD year has been completed. This
declaration, when available, should only be submitted when
the Chartered Legal Executive or Graduate Member has
completed his or her CPD for the year. False declarations
will be referred to ILEX Professional Standards Ltd as a conduct
matter.
In early 2010, CILEx will provide an online 2010 CPD log
book to Associate Members, Graduate Members, Associate Prosecutors
and Chartered Legal Executives in which all CPD activity
for 2010 should be recorded. False declarations will be
referred to ILEX Professional Standards Ltd as a conduct
matter.
Random sampling of logbooks will be undertaken by CILEx in
accordance with the Regulations.