SRA Handbook

Continuing professional development

Version 21 of the Handbook was published on 06/12/2018. For more information, please click 'History' Above

Regulation 9: Continuing professional development

9.1

Subject to regulation 9.3, if you have gained a higher courts advocacy qualification under regulation 3.1, you must undertake at least five hours of CPD relating to the provision of advocacy services in the higher courts in each of the first five CPD years following the grant of the qualification.

9.2

Subject to regulation 9.3, if you have gained a higher courts advocacy qualification under regulation 5.1 or are exercising any right of audience in the higher courts by virtue of any exemption you have under regulation 6, you must undertake at least five hours of CPD relating to the provision of advocacy services in the higher courts in each of the first five CPD years following the date of your first exercise of the right.

9.3

If you have chosen to comply with regulation 3.1(b) of the SRA Training Regulations 2011 Part 3 - CPD Regulations, neither regulation 9.1 or 9.2 applies.

Guidance note

(i)

The requirements in regulation 9.1 and 9.2 are not an additional requirement to that required by the SRA Training Regulations Part 3 - CPD Regulations.

(ii)

This requirement commences the CPD year following the year in which the qualification is awarded or from the date you first undertake advocacy in the higher courts if qualifying via a comparable qualification. It is up to you to decide what your training needs are in relation to the advocacy services you provide. Therefore, the training may be advocacy training, training on new procedures or on substantive law if relevant to higher court practice.

(iii)

Regulation 9.3 means that, if you have opted to meet your responsibilities on ongoing competence through learning and development you deem necessary rather than the hours-based approach of the CPD regime, you should consider how the development activity you do contributes to maintenance of competence in higher courts advocacy and provision of a proper service to your clients.