CanLawBridge is currently working towards becoming accredited to provide CPD training hours. Once we are officially accredited by the LSO, we will make an announcement.
What are CPD Hours?
Lawyers and paralegals who are practicing law or providing legal services must complete in each calendar year at least 12 CPD Hours in Eligible Educational Activities consisting a minimum of 3 Professionalism Hours on topics related to professional responsibility, ethics and/or practice management and up to 9 Substantive Hours per year.
As of January 1, 2018, lawyers and paralegals must complete the CPD Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) Requirement. Lawyers and paralegals must complete a total of 3 Professionalism Hours that focus on advancing equality, diversity, and inclusion in the lawyer and paralegal professions between January 1, 2018 and December 31, 2020. Each subsequent year, lawyers and paralegals must complete 1 Professionalism Hour that addresses issues of equality, diversity and inclusion. These hours count towards the 3 CPD Professionalism Hours required each year.
Only Professionalism Hours, including EDI Professionalism Hours, must be accredited by the Law Society.
The remaining 9 Substantive Hours need not be accredited. As per the LSO, Substantive Hours may address substantive or procedural law topics and/or related skills. Non-legal subjects may also be eligible to Substantive Hours if they are relevant to the lawyer’s or paralegal’s practice and professional development.
Who Has to fulfill the CPD Requirement?
Lawyers and paralegals in the 100% fee-paying category are subject to the CPD Requirement. In addition, lawyers and paralegals in other fee categories who are providing legal services that are either based on Ontario or Canadian law (including on a pro bono basis), or as a life member, are subject to the CPD Requirement. Licensees in fee categories other than the 100% category who are not practising Ontario or Canadian law are exempt from the CPD Requirement. However, lawyers and paralegals are subject to the CPD Requirement for each month that they are in a 100% fee-paying category. See By-Law 6.1 and Fee Categories for more information.
While the Law Society encourages all lawyers and paralegals to engage in equality, diversity and inclusion training, only lawyers and paralegals who are subject to the CPD Requirement (detailed above) are required to complete the CPD EDI Requirement.
Law Society of Ontario
What is the purpose of the CPD Requirement?
Continuing Professional Development (“CPD”) is defined as the maintenance and enhancement of a lawyer’s or paralegal’s professional knowledge, skills, attitudes and professionalism throughout the individual’s career. It is a positive tool that benefits lawyers and paralegals and is an essential component of the commitment they make to the public to practise law or provide legal services competently and ethically. The Law Society has an important role to play in supporting the efforts of lawyers and paralegals to maintain and enhance that competence. It also has a duty to ensure that all persons who practise law or provide legal services in Ontario meet standards of learning, professional competence and conduct that are appropriate for the legal services they provide.
Law Society of Ontario
If you would like to be notified, please fill out the form below and we will be in touch with you as soon we become accredited to provide Professionalism Hours including EDI.