The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) has today [15 October] released a position statement on the implementation of its new approach to ensure the continuing competence of solicitors.
The statement explains the impact of reforms to the current Continuing Professional Development requirements (CPD) and clarifies our requirements for those who choose to follow the current CPD scheme for the 2014/2015 year and includes:
- what we expect from solicitors who choose to move to the new approach from 1 April 2015;
- advice on completing the 2015, 2016 and 2017 Practising Certificate Renewal Exercise;
- the timetable for implementation.
The new framework will be implemented for all solicitors from 1 November 2016. However, solicitors can choose to opt in to the new scheme from 1 April 2015.
Julie Brannan, Director of Education and Training said: "We recognise that changes to current CPD requirements mean a change in culture for individual solicitors. We have issued this position statement to provide clarity about arrangements for CPD during the transitional period leading to full implementation of the new approach from 1 November 2016. Supporting guidance will be contained in our Continuing Competence Toolkit, to be published in spring 2015."
A copy of the position statement and further information on our new approach to ensuring the continuing competence of solicitors is available at http://www.sra.org.uk/sra/policy/training-for-tomorrow/Resources/cpd-position-statement.page.
