CPD for lawyers 

CPD is an ongoing process through which lawyers develop and refine their professional knowledge and skills. Lawyers have professional obligations requiring them to undertake CPD and maintain their competence.

Lawyers must follow the CPD Rules. These specify that lawyers are responsible for:

• identifying their learning needs 
• maintaining a CPD Plan and Record (CPDPR) 
• completing at least 10 hours of CPD activities each year 
• reflecting on their learning. 

Learn more: Link to CPD Rules | Link to CPDPR guidance

Are CPD providers accredited?

The Law Society Te Kāhui Ture o Aotearoa does not accredit or approve CPD providers or individual courses. 

The CPD Rules do not require providers of CPD or particular courses to be accredited and they do not impose any obligations on CPD providers. Each lawyer is responsible for deciding whether a learning activity: 

• meets the CPD Rules requirements 
• is relevant to their identified learning needs 
• supports their professional development. 

Providers must not imply that an activity is Law Society “approved”, “recommended”, or “accredited”.

Designing effective CPD activities

To ensure that lawyers can be confident that your activity would count as CPD, consider:

The requirements of the CPD rules 

Under the Rules, activities that are suitable for a lawyer’s CPD Plan and Record must be: 

• verifiable 
• structured and planned 
• designed for interaction and/or feedback 
• linked to a lawyer’s identified learning need 
• not part of a lawyer’s day-to-day work.

Good practice 

• Base activities on clear aims and learning objectives. 
• Structure content to support the intended outcomes. 
• Include aims, objectives, and expected outcomes in promotional material. 
• Consider principles of adult learning (andragogy) and deep learning. 
• Apply continuous quality improvement processes.

Learn more: Link to activities guidance

Attributing hours

Lawyers decide how much time should count toward CPD, excluding breaks and networking.

Providers may indicate potential CPD hours e.g., “2 CPD hours”.

Verifying participation

You can support lawyers by providing documentation confirming attendance. This should include: 

• participant name 
• provider name 
• course title and summary 
• date and location 
• number of CPD eligible hours. 

Please note: Registration receipts do not verify attendance. 

Example verification documents

• signed attendance lists 
• completion certificates 
• inhouse training records 
• a slip to be signed by the lawyer and countersigned by another attendee 
• title pages for written materials. 

Preparation time for course or activity attendance 

For presenters 

Presenters may count reasonable preparation time toward their CPD. They may ask you to provide materials confirming their involvement. 

For participants 

Preparation only counts as CPD if it is part of a structured distance learning programme with: 

• defined learning outcomes 
• interactive components 
• feedback or assessment 
• verification of completion. 

Supporting reflection 

All lawyers must reflect on their CPD activities. Providers can help by: 

• building time for reflection into sessions 
• prompting discussion 

Example reflection questions 

• What knowledge or skills did you gain? 
• How will you apply this in practice? 
• Did you meet your identified learning need? 
• What further learning might be required?