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Continuing Professional Development (CPD)

Fulfilment by ERA of the conditions for recognition of CPD credits/points for lawyers in private practice

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Foto: Continuing Professional Development (CPD).

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The information presented below was correct – to the best knowledge of the author – on the date of publication on 26 October 2017.  If you find any inaccuracies, we would be most grateful if you would report them to alees@era.int.
(Source: CCBE, ERA.)









  • Austria: Österreichischer Rechtsanwaltskammertag (ÖRAK) /  Austrian Chamber of Lawyers

Continuous legal training is mandatory for all lawyers in Austria. However, there is no continuing training regime in place. The law leaves it open to each individual lawyer how he or she meets their continuing education duty and keeps him- or herself up to date, for example by participating in seminars on legal developments in different fields of law. The duty can also be met by reading legal journals, gazettes, writing articles, or giving lectures on legal developments.  E-learning is also accepted as a form of continuous legal training. ERA offers such seminars. 
  • Belgium: L’Ordre des Barreaux Francophones et Germanophone de Belgique (OBFG / Avocats.be) / Order of the French and German-speaking Bars of Belgium

Continuous legal training is mandatory for all lawyers in Belgium. In order to fulfil the CPD requirements, Belgian lawyers registered with the OBFG need to accumulate an average of 20 CPD points per calendar year during the reference period of three years.

Participation in legal training seminars earns lawyers one point per hour of training. CPD points from e-learning are also accepted.

ERA training events are currently not recognised by the OBFG. However, ERA provides an official certificate of completion and encourages participants to submit a reasoned request to the Bar Council (Le conseil de l’Ordre) for approval.
  • Belgium: De Orde van Vlaamse Balies (OVB / Advocaats.be) / Order of Flemish Bars

Continuous legal training is mandatory for all lawyers in Belgium. In order to fulfil the CPD requirements, lawyers registered with the OVB need 16 points of continuing professional development each year, of which only 10 points can be earned by attending training seminars by international providers. CPD points from e-learning are accepted.

For pre-approved training events, one hour of teaching is equivalent to one CPD point. Training organisers are responsible for getting events approved in advance.

Currently, ERA does not seek pre-approval from the OVB. However, we will provide an official certificate of completion, and encourage participants to submit a reasoned request to the Bar Council for approval.
  • Bosnia and Herzegovina –  Advokatura AKFBiH / Bar Association of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina

Continuous legal training is mandatory for all lawyers in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The obligations are stated in the internal regulations of the Bar and the Attorney’s Code of Ethics. Although there are no target hours, a lawyer should update and expand his/her legal and general education.

Participation in training activities in other countries counts towards fulfilling training obligations. ERA offers such seminars.
  • Bulgaria – Bulgarian Supreme Bar Council

Continuous legal training is mandatory for all lawyers in Bulgaria. All attorneys must undergo at least four academic hours of training each year. One ‘academic hour’ corresponds to 90 minutes.

There is no accreditation system for the continuous training of lawyers. Attorneys are free to choose the form and subject matter of the training. Training obligations can be fulfilled through participation in training activities in another Member State. ERA offers such seminars.
  • Croatia – Hrvatska Odvjetnička Komora

Continuous legal training is mandatory for all lawyers in Croatia. Compulsory training obligations are stated in the internal regulations of the Bar and the Attorney’s Code of Ethics. Although there are no target hours, the Code of Ethics provides that a lawyer should update and expand his/her legal and general education.

Participation in training activities in other Member States counts towards fulfilling training obligations. ERA offers such seminars.
  • Cyprus – Cyprus Bar Association

Currently, continuous legal training is not mandatory for lawyers in Cyprus. Continuous legal training is not mentioned either by state law or internal regulations.
  • Czech Republic – Česká Advokátní Komora

Continuous legal training is not mentioned either by state law or internal regulations.
The onus is on the individual lawyer to undertake training in order to specialise in a specific field and to choose the most suitable training for his field of practice.

Czech lawyers may voluntarily choose continuous training activities organised by various training providers. 
  • Denmark – Advokatsamfundet

Continuous legal training is mandatory for all lawyers in Denmark. A minimum of 54 lessons (each lasting 45 minutes) over three years is required. Courses, language courses, teaching, writing/publishing and other training activities are all recognised, as well as foreign training activities. CPD points from e-learning are accepted; every 45 minutes counts for one lesson.

One lesson is 45 minutes. Each training activity needs to be a minimum of three lessons of 45 minutes each; the number of lessons can be given with decimal points. There need not be an immediate connection between the lessons, but there needs to be an overarching theme.

In addition to a participation certificate, the participant needs to produce a course programme describing the content of the course.

CPD points from e-learning are accepted.

The Danish Bar does not accredit training providers or activities. All ERA training programmes meet its requirements for recognition.   
  • Estonia – Eesti Advokatuur (Estonian Bar Association)

Continuous legal training is mandatory for all lawyers in Estonia. Estonian lawyers need to accumulate a minimum of ten credits per year to reach the goal of 80 credits over a period of five years. One hour of teaching gives one credit. 80 continuing training credits shall be collected during a five-year assessment period.

CPD points from e-learning are accepted.

The Estonian Bar does not accredit training providers or activities. All ERA training programmes meet its requirements for recognition.   
  • Finland – Finnish Bar Association

Continuous legal training is mandatory for all lawyers in Finland. Lawyers are obliged to take part in continuous professional education for a minimum of 18 hours annually. Continuing professional education can be organised by the Bar Association or one of its Chapters, or by a third party. CPD points from e-learning are accepted.
ERA is one of the legal training providers listed by the Finnish Bar. (https://www.asianajajaliitto.fi/koulutus/muu_koulutustarjonta)
  • France – CNB (French Bar Association)

Continuous legal training is mandatory for all lawyers in France. Since 2005, every lawyer registered with the Bar is required to attend 20 hours of continuous training per calendar year, or 40 hours in two consecutive years. Transmission of surplus is possible, but in two year periods, only hours from the second year can be transmitted.

The lawyer is responsible for the follow-up of his continuing education. Before 31 January of each year, he must declare to the Council of the Order the conditions under which he has fulfilled his obligation for the previous year by attaching all the attendance certificates given by the training provider.

Holders of one or more certificates of specialisation are required to attend at least 10 hours of training in each of their specialisation area(s).

CPD points from e-learning are accepted, but lawyers cannot spend more than half of their training via e-methods.

Currently, ERA does not seek prior accreditation from the CNB but is in process to offer CNB accreditation in the future.
  • Germany – Bundesrechtsanwaltskammer

In Germany, continuous legal training is not a requirement for Rechtsänwalte (general lawyers). However, continuous legal training is a requirement for Specialist Lawyers (Fachanwälte). It must be not less than 15 hours annually in their specific field of law. Transmission of surplus is not possible.

A certificate of attendance would be provided for all ERA seminars, which fulfils the formal requirements in § 15 FAO. ERA regularly offers training for the following Fachanwaltschaftens, including: labour law, banking law, family law, succession law, IP Law, insolvency law, migration law, social law, tax law, criminal law, media law, procurement law, and insurance law. 

The recognition of e-learning depends on the local Bars; usually e-methods with interaction possibilities count if the possibility of interaction is guaranteed and constant attendance is proven.
  • Georgia – Georgian Bar Association

Continuous legal training is mandatory for all lawyers in Georgia. Lawyers need to earn 12 credit hours per year; the reporting period is one year, from 1 January to 20 December. When calculating CPD hours, one hour equals one credit hour.

One of the ways in which these credit hours can be filled is by having participated in international conferences during the current year and submitting a document certifying their participation in such an event. ERA is a provider of such conferences.
  • Greece – Bar Association of Greece (DSA)

Continuous training is not mentioned either by state law or internal regulations.
The onus is on the individual lawyer to undertake training in order to specialise in a specific field and to choose the most suitable training for his field of practice.

Lawyers may voluntarily choose continuous training activities organised by various training providers. 
  • Hungary – Magyar Ügyvédi Kamara

There is no organised continuous training system in Hungary.

The Bar association is responsible of organising the professional training of lawyers admitted to the Bar. This training consists of ad-hoc events which are optional.

Hungarian lawyers can participate in training activities taking place in another Member State on a voluntary basis.
  • Iceland – Lögmannafélag Íslands

Continuous training is not mentioned either by state law or internal regulations in Iceland. Lawyers may voluntarily choose continuous training activities organised by various training providers. 

  • Ireland – Bar Council

Continuous legal training is mandatory for all lawyers registered with the Ireland Bar Council. The Bar Council of Ireland requires ten points of continuous legal training per practice year (a period of 12 months ending on 30 September each year). The CPD system is one of self-certification.

One hour of learning counts toward one point. When calculating the CPD hours, the barrister is expected to record the number of hours attended, rather than the hours advertised.

A maximum of two points may be claimed for either reading legal journals or viewing CPD DVDs or listening to MP3 files of recorded CPD seminars (e-learning).

Barristers can apply for a priori and a posteriori assessment/approval individually. The criteria for assessment/approval is: significant intellectual or practical content, link to the practice of law, suitable qualifications of training providers, and relevance to the barrister’s immediate or long term needs in relation to the professional development.
  • Ireland – Law Society of Ireland

Continuous legal training is mandatory for all lawyers registered with the Law Society of Ireland. During the cycle from 1 January 2017 to 31 December 2017, 20 hours of training is required.

Each cycle shall comprise a minimum of three hours of management and professional development skills and a minimum of two hours of regulatory matters and may be completed by means of e-learning and/or group study and/or written relevant material. The remaining 15 hours must be fulfilled by training activities for ‘General CPD’. All ERA training courses fall into the last category.

When calculating CPD hours, one hour of learning counts toward one hour.

CPD points from e-learning are accepted.

In order to qualify as CPD, the training must be intended to develop the solicitor in his/her professional knowledge, skills and abilities.
  • Italy – Consiglio Nazionale Forense (CNF)  

Continuous legal training is mandatory for all lawyers in Italy. Lawyers are required to have 60 credits over the period of three years, and a minimum of 15 credits annually.

Different CPD points are allocated to different CPD activities.

For updating activities (mainly aimed at adapting and deepening the acquired experience and knowledge gained in initial training):
(i) half day events: from one up to three credits;
(ii) one day (or more) events: from two up to 12 credits.

For training activities (training for the development of new competences):
(i) half day events: from two to four credits;
(ii) one day (or more) events: from six to 20 credits.

Credits from e-learning (or “FAD”) are accepted. However, credit points from distance learning must not exceed 40% of the total credit points earned over the three years. 

ERA events are automatically accredited by the Italian bar based on the applied principle of mutual understanding and the fact that ERA events are recognised as CPD training events by the Barreau du Luxembourg.
  • Kosovo – Kosovo Bar Association

Continuous legal training is mandatory for all lawyers in Kosovo. When calculating CPD points, one-day seminars count for 4 so-called “AVLO” credits.

The main objectives of continuous legal training in Kosovo are:
Legal Education for lawyers regarding the legislative reforms and the developments in the practice of advocacy
    • Provision of professional support to lawyers in their practice of law
    • Promotion of exchange of knowledge, methods and best professional practices
    • Enhancing professional skills of writing, reasoning and argumentation in the application of law in practice
    • Giving a contribution in terms of keeping the lawyers informed about the developments in the fields of jurisprudence, economy, social and culture
    • Improving the lawyers’ knowledge on international law, in particular the European Law
    • Providing a multidisciplinary approach regarding topics or issues addressed by the training needs of lawyers

  • Latvia – Latvian Council of Sworn Advocates

Continuous legal training is mandatory for all lawyers in Latvia. More specifically, every sworn advocate must attend training of at least 16 (in total) academic hours per year. The lawyer can choose the method of training.

When calculating CPD points, one academic hour is equivalent to 45 minutes.
However, according to Art 2.3 of the Regulation, if an activity is attended abroad, 45 minutes count for two academic hours.
  • Lithuania – Lithuanian Bar Association

Continuous legal training is mandatory for all lawyers in Lithuania.

The number of necessary CPD points depends on the lawyer’s experience:
Lawyers who have been practising less than five years require six points per year, lawyers with more than five years of practise only three points. Trainee lawyers have to accumulate 12 points per year.

When calculating CPD points, any event that is four academic hours is equivalent to one point. If any event is more than four academic hours, it is equivalent to two points. For multiple day events, each full day is equivalent to two points.
  • Liechtenstein – Liechtenstein Bar Association

Continuous legal training is mandatory for all lawyers in Liechtenstein.

Keeping up-to-date with the latest developments in law is a professional obligation. It is particularly important that lawyers are aware of the growing influence of European law on their field of activity. ERA offers such seminars.
  • Luxembourg – Barreau de Luxembourg

Continuous legal training is mandatory for all lawyers in Luxembourg. Lawyers must provide proof of an average of 16 points per calendar year, calculated over a three-year period. Lawyers must justify at least two-thirds of the points in purely legal matters, the remaining third being able to be followed in matters relevant to professional practice. E-learning is recognised as a form of training.

When calculating CPD points, one hour counts for one point.

ERA is one of the training institutions approved by the Luxembourg Bar Association (https://www.barreau.lu/le-metier-d-avocat/devenir-avocat/formations-conferences/institutions-agreees-au-titre-de-la-formation-permanente-par-le-conseil-de-l-ordre)
  • Malta – Chamber of Advocates Malta

Continuous training is not stated in the state law or in the internal regulations of the Bar. However, the Chamber of Advocates is proposing to make continuous training obligatory.
  • Netherlands – NovA (The Netherlands Bar)

Continuous legal training is mandatory for all lawyers in the Netherlands. A lawyer must acquire at least 20 training points a year, and at least half of those points must be earned concerning the legal areas in which the lawyer works / wishes to work. E-learning is recognised as a source of training.

When calculating CPD points, an hour of learning counts for one training point.

It is possible to get training points from non-accredited institutions. ERA can offer such training activities.
  • Norway – Advokatforeningen (The Bar Association of Norway)

Continuous legal training is mandatory for all lawyers in Norway. Lawyers are obliged to fulfil 80 hours of training over a five-year period. There are set five-year periods (the current period began on 1 January 2014 and will end on 31 December 2018.)

The credit hours are categorised into three groups: legal hours (training on legal subjects), non-legal hours (legal research, language, psychology, business, accounting and auditing, IT) and ethics hours.

Participants need to formally apply for the approval of the points achieved after visiting external course providers, i.e. courses offered by providers other than Juristenes Utdanningssenter (JUS) and Advokatsforeningen.

When calculating CPD points, one course hour is equivalent to 45 minutes. A course needs to be a minimum of two course hours (1 hour 30 minutes)

E-learning is recognised if the participant is required to answer questions based on the e-learning product at the end to prove his knowledge. All ERA courses take this format.

The bar association does not pre-approve courses. ERA, as a training organisation based outside Norway, is in principle eligible for CPD recognition. The bar association decides on a case by case basis.
  • Poland – Bar Council (NRA)

Continuous legal training is mandatory for all members of the Bar Council in Poland. 12 points are required per year. A lawyer submits a report on fulfilling the duty of mandatory training to the relevant District Bar Council by the end of February each year. Training abroad can also count towards points.

When calculating CPD points, one hour is equivalent to one point. Any course that is shorter than one hour does not count.

Internet presentations and e-learning count towards points only if they are organised by the Bar.

The main criteria for assessing training activities is whether the activity is addressed fully or mainly to lawyers and develop professional skills of a lawyer. In addition, training from all institutions that guarantee a sufficient standard of training, i.e.: universities and higher education institutions, public and non-public, other institutions professionally engaged in legal science or research works in legal area, institutions specialized in organising trainings, seminars and conferences, other self-government organizations of lawyers, lawyers organizations such as IBA, UIA, AIJA, INTA, ICCA, ILA, CCBE, chambers of commerce etc, are accepted.
  • Poland – National Council of Legal Advisors

Continuous legal training is mandatory for all legal advisors in Poland. The current training period is 2015-2017. Legal advisors must achieve a minimum of 40 training points per cycle, providing a certificate, programme, and number of hours completed to his/her regional bar association.

The method of CPD point calculation is as follows:
  • Two points for every 45 minutes in case of a training for lawyers conducted abroad
  • One point for every 45 minutes if the training is organised by training providers in Poland
E-learning is recognised as a form of training; lawyers can redeem two points for 25 screens of e-learning.
  • Portugal – Ordem dos Advogados (Portuguese Bar Association)

Continuous legal training is mandatory for all members in Portugal. It is the responsibility of the Bar Association to organise training services. Participation in training programmes organised by other entities or institutions may also be pursued. ERA provides such training programmes.
  • Romania – Uniunea Nationala a Barourilor din Romania (Romanian National Union of Bar Associations)

Continuous legal training is mandatory for all lawyers in Romania. Each lawyer needs 20 credits per year.  E-learning is recognised as one of the training forms.
  • Slovakia - Slovenská Advokátska Komora

There is no mandatory regime for lawyers’ continuing professional training in Slovakia.
  • Slovenia – Odvetniška Zbornica Slovenije

There is no mandatory regime for lawyers’ continuing professional training in Slovenia.
  • Spain – General Council of the Spanish Bar

At the moment, there is no mandatory regime of lawyers’ continuing professional training in Spain. However, the Spanish Bar Association is in the process of making continuous training obligatory. On 14 July 2017, the General Coordinator of Training for Spanish Lawyers was appointed.
  • Sweden – Swedish Bar Association

Continuous legal training is mandatory for all lawyers in Sweden. All lawyers need to take a minimum of 18 hours of training annually. When calculating the requirement for training time, 18 hours may be considered as corresponding to three days of six hours’ effective training time each. 

In order to attain the quality requisite for the training, one training event should not last less than 1.5 hours of effective training time. The number of participants in a training event, except for e-learning, should not be below five, the training leader excluded.

E-learning is recognised as one of the training forms, however it must not exceed six hours of the 18 hours of training required.

The criteria for accreditation are: relation and benefit to the practice of law, content, and professional competency of the teacher.
  • Switzerland – Federation Suisse des Avocats

Continuous legal training is mandatory for specialised lawyers in Switzerland. Every year, two days of training (or 12 credits) is required.

When calculating CPD points, personal participation in a course of at least 45 minutes corresponds to one credit. One full day of training gives six credits.

E-learning is accepted only for the initial specialisation training, not for the mandatory continuing training.
  • Turkey – Türkiye Barolar Birliği

Continuing legal training is not mandatory in Turkey.
  • UK – England and Wales, Bar Standards Board

Continuous legal training is mandatory for all barristers in England and Wales.

From 1 January 2017, the Bar Standards Board accreditation system for CPD providers ceased to operate. There is no requirement for barristers to complete training activities at accredited providers. According to the new regime, there are also no guidelines for the number of hours or the form of training.
  • UK – England and Wales, Solicitors Regulation Authority

Continuous legal training is mandatory for all solicitors in England and Wales. Beginning from 1 November 2016, however, the SRA has removed all regulatory arrangements in Part 3 of the Training Regulations 2011, including the requirement to undertake 16 hours CPD annually, and the accreditation of providers for the purposes of CPD. Individuals have the freedom and flexibility to decide how best they ensure ongoing training and the delivery of competent legal services.
  • UK – Northern Ireland, General Council of the Bar

Continuous legal training is mandatory for all barristers in Northern Ireland. All barristers who have completed pupillage must complete a minimum of 12 hours of continuing professional development in the 12-month period commencing on the 1  December of each year of practice following completion of pupillage.

When calculating CPD points, a course of 30 minutes or more but less than 60 minutes is eligible for half hour CPD accreditation provided that for any course with a lecture format, at least 80% of the course must be devoted to the lecture presentation.

E-learning is recognised as a form of training. However, there must be an opportunity for participants to ask questions of the course instructor(s) and to engage in discussion. If the course instructor(s) is not available, either in person or via telephone, then a qualified commentator must be available to offer comments, answer questions and lead discussion. ERA webinars and live streams take this format.

Continuous professional development can take the form of any education and study which is relevant to maintaining and developing a barrister’s professional knowledge, skills, ethics or abilities.
  • UK – Northern Ireland, The Law Society

Continuous legal training is mandatory for all solicitors in Northern Ireland. All lawyers are required to complete continuous legal training of a minimum of ten hours per practice year. When calculating CPD points, 60 minutes are equivalent to one CPD hour. E-learning is recognised as a form of training.
  • UK – Scotland, Faculty of Advocates, Department of Training & Education

Continuous legal training is mandatory for all members of the Faculty of Advocates. All advocates must complete a minimum of ten hours of continuous legal training annually. When calculating CPD points, actual time may be claimed (added up/rounded down to the nearest half an hour). E-learning is recognised as a form of training.

Training programmes are assessed according the subject matter covered and if it is suitable for CPD. An itinerary or programme and the contact details of the event organiser(s) have to be included.
  • UK – Scotland, Law Society

Continuous legal training is mandatory for all members of the Law Society. The CPD year runs from 1 November to 31 October. All solicitors with a Practising Certificate and all Registered European Lawyers (REL) are required to undertake a minimum of 20 hours of relevant CPD per year. A minimum of 15 hours of CPD must be verifiable. All ERA training activities are verifiable.

When calculating CPD points, actual time may be claimed (added up/rounded down to the nearest half an hour). E-learning is recognised as a form of training if there is a multiple-choice test at the end of the e-learning session, or if it is a virtual learning environment (VLE) where participants can discuss matters. All ERA online courses take one or both of these formats.

The onus is on the individual solicitor to undertake CPD activity which is relevant to his own practice. The activity needs to have educational aims and objectives relevant to a solicitor’s development, and the activity must have clearly anticipated outcomes. It must also have a verifiable certificate. ERA fulfils the requirements.




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