MEDIA RELEASE – For immediate use, 26 April 2013

Law Society Gives Go-Ahead To Mandatory Professional Development For Lawyers

New Zealand’s lawyers are to be required to complete at least 10 hours a year of continuing professional development (CPD) activities from 2014 onwards.

New Zealand Law Society President Chris Moore says the Law Society’s Council approved proposed Rules for the initiative at its meeting in Wellington last week.

The proposed Rules will now be sent to the Minister of Justice, Judith Collins, for her approval as required by the Lawyers and Conveyancers Act 2006.

“The Law Society is introducing a modern and innovative scheme which is driven by current educational thinking. It is a big step forward from the more traditional approach to continuing professional development,” Mr Moore said.

“Individual lawyers will be responsible for identifying and fulfilling their own learning requirements through a structured process of self-assessment and reflection.”

It is intended that the Rules will come into force on 1 October this year, with a transitional period until the first full CPD year begins on 1 April 2014. Lawyers will be entitled to bring forward up to five hours of CPD activities from the transitional period into the first full year.

Mr Moore said through research and consultation it was clear that there is already a widespread culture of continuous learning by New Zealand’s lawyers.

“We know the legal profession is ready for introduction of a formal CPD initiative. Our overriding objective is to maintain and develop a high standard of legal services for the benefit of all New Zealanders.”

ENDS

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