CPD Criteria

The following is the NALP Board's decision on what would be acceptable CPD for Licenced Paralegals:

1. If an employee is producing practice notes to be used within the firm which involves research, then the Board thought that the time taken could be used towards CPD time. Similarly any new research undertaken in the course of work would also be acceptable.

2. The Board also decided that any research of either law or practice relating to a case, as long as it is catalogued to enable it to be used subsequently as a reference, would be acceptable, because it would have involved professional development.

3. In-house training sessions are certainly acceptable.

4. Any NVQ (or other course) which is management related would be acceptable as would IT skills courses.

5. The Board also expressed that the following would qualify towards CPD points:

* Attending a legal, managerial, administerial, professional enhancement or personal development seminar workshop or course

* Studying on any course relevant to the Member's career either by attendance or distance learning

* Writing an article for the Newsletter or for a law or job related publication

* Attending any job-related training program, in-house or otherwise

* Attending any educational or professional enhancement programme

* Any personal or inter-personal development course or seminar

* Self-study or Distance Learning that can be verified

* On-line CPD tests carried out by, for example, The Solicitors Journal, Family Law and any other recognised provider

6. Despite the fact that CPD for Licence holders is 10 hours per year, these can be 'rolled' up in the case of a substantial course and can also be carried forward to the next Licensing period. For example, the Association's Fellowship Award would constitute 30 CPD hours and could, therefore, be spread over a three year period, even though the Award was completed in less time.