The new CPD scheme - A guide for in-house lawyers

Oct 1, 2026

Uploaded by Grenda

A guide explaining a new SRA CPD scheme effective from November 2016, outlining the removal of the 16-hour minimum, early adoption options up to 31 October 2016, and continuing duties for solicitors including an annual declaration during practising certificate renewal. It details how basic competency standards are assessed via the outcomes-based Competence Statement, describes its four competency sections, and explains the Statement of Legal Knowledge and how compliance should be monitored through internal performance reviews aligned to the SRA standards.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryExam

FormatPDF

Pages4

Reading Time10 min

AccessFree to download

At a glance

What is the Competence Statement?

What is the Statement of Legal Knowledge?

How will we know we are compliant?

The new CPD scheme: A guide for in-house lawyers April 2015 At a glance A new CPD scheme will be introduced by the SRA with effect from November 2016. The key features of the new scheme are as follows: • The minimum 16-hour requirement for CPD will be discontinued from 1 November 2016. • You can elect to adopt the new scheme early, at any time from now up to 31 October 2016. Some law firms are planning to do this, to take advantage of the greater flexibility offered by the new scheme in terms of training formats. • Solicitors will continue to be required to undertake CPD, however, and to make an annual declaration that they have considered their training and development requirements and have taken appropriate measures to ensure their continuing competence. This declaration must be made as part of the process for renewing the practising certificate. • Basic competency standards will be assessed by reference to the new Competence Statement which has now been agreed by the SRA following a period of consultation. • The SRA will no longer prescribe CPD-qualifying activities and you will have the freedom to assess your own training needs, and more flexibility to undertake training activities which suit your needs and those of your employer. • The system of accreditation of authorised training providers has already fallen away. On 1 November 2014, the SRA ceased to accredit legal training providers, or the courses they provide. • On 1 April 2015, the SRA issued a toolkit to support the transition to the new CPD scheme. What is the Competence Statement? • The Competence Statement underpins the new CPD scheme. It is 'outcomes-based', [i.e. it](i.e. it) describes the activities which solicitors need to be able to do competently, rather than describing the attributes which solicitors require in order to be competent. From a practical perspective, it serves two main purposes: o it sets out, in tabular format, the standard of competence expected of a solicitor on admission and also at each of the relevant stages in their development pre- and post-admission. This is contained in an annexe to the Competence Statement and is referred to as the "Threshold Standard"; and o it defines the continuing competency standards required of solicitors post-qualification. • The Competence Statement is divided into four sections: (i) ethics, professionalism and judgment; (ii) technical legal practice; (iii) managing yourself and your work; and (iv) working with other people. Under each of these headings, there is a list of activities which solicitors need to be able to perform competently. The key ones are summarised briefly below. • Ethics, professionalism and judgment: This section contains the key requirements to act honestly and with integrity, and to maintain the level of competence and legal knowledge needed to practise effectively. • Technical legal practice: This section covers the basic elements of legal advice, such as the requirement to obtain all relevant facts, undertake legal research, advise on all relevant options, advocacy and negotiation of solutions to the client’s issues. • Management of work: This section includes requirements to prioritise and manage work activities, keep accurate and complete records and apply good business practice. • Working with other people: Finally, this section requires clear and effective communications, and professional relations with clients and others. • As illustrated above, the Competence Statement is deliberately generic since solicitors work in a wide variety of roles and specialisms. What is the Statement of Legal Knowledge? • In keeping with the generic nature of the Competence Statement, it requires a solicitor to "draw on sufficient detailed knowledge and understanding of their field(s) of work and role in order to practise effectively…", [i.e. to](i.e. to) have detailed knowledge of the law in their area(s) of practice. However, it also requires solicitors

FAQs

When will the new SRA CPD scheme take effect, and what changes to the 16-hour requirement are introduced?

The new CPD scheme takes effect from November 2016. The minimum 16-hour requirement for CPD will be discontinued from 1 November 2016.

Can in-house solicitors adopt the new CPD scheme early?

Yes. Firms can elect to adopt the new scheme early at any time from now up to 31 October 2016, benefiting from greater flexibility in training formats.

How is compliance assessed under the new scheme without an enforced 16-hour benchmark?

Compliance should focus on the internal performance review system. Standards used for appraisal should track the SRA Competence Statement and support reviewing training records, reflecting on training effectiveness, identifying gaps, and setting relevant training actions.

Oct 1, 2026

Uploaded by Grenda