Accredited specialists must complete a total of 12 hours (12 CPD Scheme units) between 1st April 2008 and 31st March 2009 to maintain their accreditation.
- Eight of the 12 units must be in the Accredited specialist’s area of specialisation.
- The remaining four units can be in any area, which may include the compulsory units:
- Ethics and Professional Responsibility
- Professional Skills
- Substantive law
- Practice Management and Business Skills
Completion of these 12 unit requirements will ensure compliance with the 10 unit requirement under the CPD Scheme Rules 2007/08 (as long as the compulsory units are completed).
If more than one area of specialist Accreditation is held, eight scheme units must be completed in each area of specialisation.
All Accredited Specialists should record their involvement in CPD activities throughout the year. An online recording tool is available to members via your My LIV portal or a spreadsheet template can be supplied upon request.
CPD Report format
The CPD report should be set out with the following information:
- Date of each activity
- Title of the activity
- Provider
- Format of the activity (e.g. seminar, workshop, study group)
- Relevance to your practice and
- Number of CPD Scheme units claimed.
The report can be used for both the Accredited specialisation scheme and the CPD Scheme reporting requirements.
Who needs to submit a CPD Report
In the first three full CPD cycles (April 1 – March 30) after obtaining accreditation, each specialist must submit a CPD report to the Board by the prescribed date.
You will also be required to submit a CPD report if:
- you have been selected as part of the random audit
- your area of law has been subject to significant change
- you have returned from a leave of absence within the last twelve months
- you have previously experienced difficulty in complying with the requirements for continuing accreditation
Accredited Specialists holding accreditation for more than three years are required to submit a CPD report as and when directed by the Board. Where a report is not required, specialists must make an annual declaration that they have complied with the requirements of the Rules regarding CPD.
2007
In 2007, the Accredited specialisation CPD report must cover the period from 1 April 2007 to 31 March 2008. Twelve hours CPD will be required to be completed during this 12-month period.
2008
In 2008, the Accredited Specialisation CPD report must cover the period 1 April 2008 to 31 March 2009. Twelve hours CPD will be required to be completed during this 12-month period.