SRA Handbook

CPD requirement during the first three years of admission

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Regulation 4: CPD requirement during the first three years of admission

4.1

If you are a solicitor, in the first three CPD years following admission you must attend the SRA Management Course Stage 1.

4.2

A minimum of three topics must be covered on the SRA Management Course Stage 1 from the list below:

(a)

Managing finance;

(b)

Managing the firm;

(c)

Managing client relationships;

(d)

Managing information;

(e)

Managing people.

4.3

If you are an REL, you are not required to attend the SRA Management Course Stage 1.

4.4

You can make a written request to us for exemption from the SRA Management Course Stage 1 if you have, within the last five years:

(a)

gained significant experience of a solicitor's practice and of management issues as they arise in practice (and can provide examples of experience gained in at least three of the five topic areas of the course); or

(b)

attended a similar course, covering the same ground.

4.5

If you qualified by undertaking the QLTT you are also required to attend the Financial and Business Skills (but not required to attempt or pass the examination) and the Client Care and Professional Standards modules of the PSC during your first CPD year.

4.6

You are exempt from the requirement in regulation 4.5 to attend the two PSC modules if you:

(a)

undertook the LPC and PSC prior to admission;

(b)

sat the Professional Conduct and Accounts heads of the QLTT; or

(c)

are transferring from Scotland via the QLTT.

4.7

Regulations 4.5 and 4.6 do not apply to those qualifying via the QLTSR.

Guidance note:

(i)

The SRA Management Course Stage 1 is a course that requires at least seven hours' attendance. It can be completed in a single day or be undertaken on a modular basis, but it has to be completed in full before claiming CPD hours.

(ii)

In addition to the compulsory SRA Management Course Stage 1, there is an optional five hour course, the SRA Management Course Stage 2.

(iii)

Full guidance on both courses is available.