Regarding the rules and regulations surrounding the earning of CPD points, the NSW Law Society has several rules that might not be well-known or understood by everyone in the industry. Let’s review a few of these interesting aspects of CPD compliance that are well worth knowing.
You Can Carry Points Over
The CPD year starts on April 1st and ends on March 31st every year. During this period, you need to earn your ten CPD points. What you may not be aware of, however, is that up to three excess points earned during January, February, or March may be carried over to the following CPD year.
In other words, if you’ve already earned the required 10 points but then attend an interesting seminar in February, for example, and earn another three points, those can count towards the next year. You may not, however, double-count any points across the current and future years simultaneously.
There are Limits on Certain Activities
When it comes to attending workshops, seminars, conferences, or lectures, there is no limit to how many points you can earn in this manner. The same goes for points earned for time spent on post-graduate studies.
However, when it comes to the private study of audiovisual materials, you can only earn up to a maximum of five points this way, with each hour spent being equivalent to one CPD point.
Similarly, a maximum of five points can be claimed for up to five hours spent preparing and presenting CPD activities, while five points can be claimed at a rate of one point per 1 000 words for written research, preparation and writing of legal articles.
You can earn up to three points from participating in a legal committee, task force, or practice section. These points are earned at a rate of one point per every two hours spent on this kind of activity.
You Need Proof
Adequate evidence of your CPD activities must be kept at all times, for up to a period of three years. Doing so is vital because the NSW Law Society could call on you to audit your CPD activities at any point, and you will have only 21 days to provide the proof.
If you cannot provide evidence of your valid CPD activities in time, you will need to either apply for a CPD exemption or, more likely, be required to submit an online rectification of non-compliance CPD plan, which outlines how you will catch up the outstanding points.
If you still fail to comply, the council might be forced to implement disciplinary action and suspend, cancel, or deny you a practicing certificate, which could be devastating for your legal career. Thankfully, you have ample chances to rectify things should there be a misunderstanding somewhere along the way.
Stay fully compliant and get the CPD points the NSW Law Society requires by signing up with Legalwise Seminars today. Contact us now for more information.
