Reaping the benefit of CPD

Are solicitors better lawyers since the advent of CPD? It is likely that most lawyers are attending at least one course updating them in their own specialist area at least once a year and so the CPD requirement has set a minimum standard in the profession.

But this is a low standard - one lawyers ought to have been meeting prior to CPD, to avoid negligence claims and provide a good service to the client.

As the Guide to Professional Conduct reminds solicitors: 'Failure to keep up to date with developments in law and practice relating to their work could compromise their proper standard of work.'

Has the profession bought the idea of lifelong learning? For many lawyers the acquisition of CPD hours has become an object in itself, hence the rush in autumn to complete the obligatory 16 hours.

Most lawyers still view attending accredited courses as the simplest way of clocking up those hours - attend a course and leave your active brain somewhere else.

The standard type of CPD course provides an over-long day in a stuffy room, with copious notes, which are rarely looked at after the event.

The concentration is on black-letter law, and for a proportion of attendees the course is only marginally relevant, as they are more anxious to comply than to learn.

From a risk management (and business development) angle, firms are wasting their money and fee-earners' time.

Beyond a certain basic minimum standard of legal knowledge, no contribution is made to lower the firm's risk exposure.

Lack of legal knowledge is only one of the contributory factors in complaints and claims.

Firms should consider how to get the best value for the firm and for fee-earners out of their training.

The type of training undertaken should be suitable to the intended outcome.

A variety of learning events, lectures, workshops and study time, helps to ensure that skills and knowledge are reviewed and improved.

Even the smallest firms should consider how best to develop staff within the workplace.

This is often cheaper and more effective than external courses.

By carrying out training in-house, firms are assured that training is relevant, that attendees are involved, are required to contribute and that the outcome benefits a significant number of staff.

Training plans for individuals and a training strategy for the firm will save money and reap much greater rewards in terms of reduced risk than a last minute grab for the programme of CPD courses in October.

This column was prepared by AFP Consulting, a division of Alexander Forbes Risk Services UK