Your Continuing Professional Development
MCLE, CLE, CPD, CPE – Whatever term you use, it is part of the College’s educational program.
Continuing Professional Development (CPD) is an essential part of every lawyer’s career.
Professional development keeps you up to date with the latest legislative developments while allowing you to expand your skills, improve your capabilities and build a successful and rewarding career.
The College of Law offers short seminars and workshops, online programs, skills training, and business and management training through to Masters Programs in Family Law and Commercial Litigation.
CPD Requirements
In New South Wales, regulation requires that all solicitors holding a current practising certificate must complete mandatory continuing legal education (Continuing Professional Development), unless they qualify for an exemption, by completing a course of education which satisfies the following requirements:
- complete 10 hours of qualifying training each CPD year, which runs from 1 April to 31 March (accredited specialists must also complete 10 hours at the specialist level)
- the course must include at least one (1) MCLE unit in each of the following fields:
- Ethics and Professional Responsibility
- Practice Management and Business Skills
- Professional Skills
- additionally, solicitors who are required to undertake mandatory MCLE/CPD must complete at least one (1) unit every three years of a course relating to the management of the practice of law which must cover:
- the principles of equal employment opportunity
- the law relating to discrimination and harassment
- occupational health and safety law
- employment law
For further details of New South Wales CPD requirements, please visit the Law Society of NSW website.
For full details of other jurisdiction CPD requirements, please contact your relevant law society.
Frequently Asked Questions (New South Wales)
When does the MCLE/CPD year commence and end?
The MCLE/CPD year runs from 1 April to 31 March the following year.
How many units do I need?
The requirement is 10 MCLE/CPD units in each MCLE/CPD year.
However, if it is your first practising certificate and the practising certificate has an effective start date between 1 July and 31 December, you only need to attain 5 units by 31 March. If the effective start date is between 1 January and 31 March, you do not have to attain any units by 31 March.
If you have recommenced holding a practising certificate after a break, then the above information for first time practising certificate holders applies to you as well.
Do I need to keep a record?
Yes. You are required to maintain your own record of your MCLE/CPD activities. You do not need to supply the Law Society with details of this record unless you are audited by the Law Society. An audit of MCLE/CPD activities is conducted each year and practitioners who are chosen as part of the audit are required to submit details of their MCLE/CPD activities to establish proof of compliance with the MCLE/CPD Rules and Regulations.
How do I gain units and what are they worth?
Units may be attained through a variety of activities including:
- attending seminars/conferences/lectures = 1 unit per hour minus refreshment breaks
- preparing CLE/CPD lectures = 1 unit per hour (maximum of 5 units)
- presenting CLE/CPD lectures = 1 unit per hour (maximum of 5 units)
- private study of video tapes/audio tapes/DVDs = 1 unit per hour (maximum of 5 units)
- publishing/editing articles in law journals = 1 unit per 1000 words (maximum of 5 units)
- online web based programs = 1 unit per hour