*/
A CPD Working Group, chaired by Derek Wood QC, has been setup to conduct a comprehensive review of the continuing education and professional development of practising barristers (in respect of both new practitioners and established practitioners). This follows reviews of the Vocational and Pupillage stages of barristers’ training, which were also chaired by Derek Wood QC.
The Group will consider and make recommendations in relation to: principles:
1. the need for a mandatory requirement of continuing education and professional development of practising barristers;
2. the nature, extent, content and structure of any such requirement ;
3. the means of satisfying any such requirement and any limitations thereon;
4. the need to be aware of the changing environment and changing needs following the Legal Services Act (or those in ABSs);
specific areas:
1. whether to introduce compulsory equality and diversity training as part of the new practitioners’ and/or established practitioners’ programme (in accordance with Recommendation 44 of the Neuberger Report) and, if so, the nature, extent and content of any such requirement;
2. whether to introduce compulsory advocacy and/or ethics training as part of the established practitioners’ programme and, if so, the nature, extent and content of any such requirement(s);
3. Whether there are any other topics which should be introduced as a compulsory part of the training quality assurance of CPD:
1. the regulations and procedures for the accreditation of course providers and courses including criteria for the removal or refusal of accreditation of providers;
2. the funding arrangements applying to the accreditation process;
3. the monitoring of course providers and courses by means of a robust, risk based approach including developing a sustainable, flexible monitoring system;
4. the appropriateness of CPD delivery online (including consideration of online methods) and how it should be quality assured;
and
5. the guidance for practitioners on the CPD requirements and their satisfaction.
The Working Group will carry out extensive consultation with the Inns (COIC and Education Committees), Circuits, practising barristers and other bodies that it may consider relevant. It is also anticipated that, when conducting its review, consideration will be given by the Working Group to the nature, extent, content and structure of other professions’ continuing education and professional development obligations. The major review of CPD is scheduled to commence in January 2010 and the CPD Working Group expects to report to the BSB by December 2010.
The Group will consider and make recommendations in relation to: principles:
1. the need for a mandatory requirement of continuing education and professional development of practising barristers;
2. the nature, extent, content and structure of any such requirement ;
3. the means of satisfying any such requirement and any limitations thereon;
4. the need to be aware of the changing environment and changing needs following the Legal Services Act (or those in ABSs);
specific areas:
1. whether to introduce compulsory equality and diversity training as part of the new practitioners’ and/or established practitioners’ programme (in accordance with Recommendation 44 of the Neuberger Report) and, if so, the nature, extent and content of any such requirement;
2. whether to introduce compulsory advocacy and/or ethics training as part of the established practitioners’ programme and, if so, the nature, extent and content of any such requirement(s);
3. Whether there are any other topics which should be introduced as a compulsory part of the training quality assurance of CPD:
1. the regulations and procedures for the accreditation of course providers and courses including criteria for the removal or refusal of accreditation of providers;
2. the funding arrangements applying to the accreditation process;
3. the monitoring of course providers and courses by means of a robust, risk based approach including developing a sustainable, flexible monitoring system;
4. the appropriateness of CPD delivery online (including consideration of online methods) and how it should be quality assured;
and
5. the guidance for practitioners on the CPD requirements and their satisfaction.
The Working Group will carry out extensive consultation with the Inns (COIC and Education Committees), Circuits, practising barristers and other bodies that it may consider relevant. It is also anticipated that, when conducting its review, consideration will be given by the Working Group to the nature, extent, content and structure of other professions’ continuing education and professional development obligations. The major review of CPD is scheduled to commence in January 2010 and the CPD Working Group expects to report to the BSB by December 2010.
A CPD Working Group, chaired by Derek Wood QC, has been setup to conduct a comprehensive review of the continuing education and professional development of practising barristers (in respect of both new practitioners and established practitioners). This follows reviews of the Vocational and Pupillage stages of barristers’ training, which were also chaired by Derek Wood QC.
Chair of the Bar sets out a busy calendar for the rest of the year
By Louise Crush of Westgate Wealth Management
Examined by Marie Law, Director of Toxicology at AlphaBiolabs
Time is precious for barristers. Every moment spent chasing paperwork, organising diaries, or managing admin is time taken away from what matters most: preparation, advocacy and your clients. That’s where Eden Assistants step in
AlphaBiolabs has announced its latest Giving Back donation to RAY Ceredigion, a grassroots West Wales charity that provides play, learning and community opportunities for families across Ceredigion County
Rachel Davenport, Co-founder and Director at AlphaBiolabs, outlines why barristers, solicitors, judges, social workers and local authorities across the UK trust AlphaBiolabs for court-admissible testing
Through small but meaningful efforts, we can restore the sense of collegiality that has been so sorely eroded, says Baldip Singh
Come in with your eyes open, but don’t let fear cloud the prospect. A view from practice by John Dove
Looking to develop a specialist practice? Mariya Peykova discusses the benefits of secondments and her placement at the Information Commissioner’s Office
Anon Academic explains why he’s leaving the world of English literature for the Bar – after all, the two are not as far apart as they may first seem...
Review by Stephen Cragg KC
