SRA Handbook

Applications and waivers

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Version 7 of the Handbook was published on 01/04/2013. For more information, please click 'History' Above

Part 9: Applications and waivers

Regulation 16: CPD questions on the practising certificate application form

16.1

You will be required to confirm whether or not you have complied with the CPD requirements during the past full CPD year when applying for your practising certificate.

Guidance note:

(i)

When applying for a practising certificate in 2011 for example, the question relates to your CPD position as at 31 October 2010. If you are making an application for the first time and have not completed a full CPD year, the 'not applicable' box on the form should be ticked. Likewise, if you are subject to the requirement but were out of practice during the year, and have suspended the requirements, you should tick the 'not applicable' box on the form.

Regulation 17: Waivers of CPD monitoring requirements

17.1

There are no exemptions from the CPD scheme but general waivers apply in relation to CPD monitoring as follows:

(a)

firms and organisations with Lexcel/Investors in People accreditation have a waiver from the routine monitoring of in-house CPD courses and the requirements to submit details of courses, course tutors and/or discussion group leaders;

(b)

solicitors /RELs in firms and organisations with Lexcel/Investors in People accreditation have a waiver from routine monitoring of CPD training records, and the requirement to satisfy a minimum of 25 per cent of the CPD requirement by participation in accredited courses;

(c)

solicitors /RELs in firms holding a Legal Aid franchise have a waiver from routine monitoring of CPD training records;

(d)

solicitors /RELs in firms and organisations holding ISO 9000 accreditation have a waiver from routine monitoring of CPD training records;

(e)

solicitors /RELs in firms and organisations which are authorised in-house CPD providers or part of a training contract consortium authorised as in-house CPD providers may have a waiver from the requirement to satisfy 25 per cent of their CPD requirement by participation in accredited courses, if you develop a training plan which is acceptable to the firm or training contract consortium.

17.2

Even where any of the above waivers are applicable to you or your firm, the number of CPD hours to be completed will not be affected, and you are still required to maintain your personal CPD training record to assist you with planning your CPD activity.

17.3

In any particular case we have the power to waive in writing any of the provisions of these regulations and to revoke such waivers.