• LEGAL
COLUMN
PROFESSIONAL EDUCATION AND DEVELOPMENT IN THE LEGAL INDUSTRY
Mitchell Singh, Partner, Glaister Ennor
I
n keeping with this edition’s theme
in search of similar cases in order to
for the exchange of ideas, and offer
of ‘Professional Education and
advise on what the likely outcome
excellent networking opportunities
Development’, I thought I would
might be.
in an increasingly digital and remote
take the opportunity to give you an
The formal aspect of a lawyer’s
insight into how this applies in the
professional education is known
legal industry.
as continuing professional devel-
in-house training that meets the New
opment (CPD). Since 1 April 2014,
Zealand Law Society’s requirements.
it serves, is constantly evolving.
lawyers must complete a minimum
At Glaister Ennor, for example, our
Whether as a result of changes in
of 10 formal CPD hours a year to
partners are regularly invited by
legislation, developments in case
satisfy the New Zealand Law Society’s
course providers to present on topics
law from the courts, or even broader
requirements for holding a practising
within their area of expertise. A
challenges brought on by Covid-19,
certificate.
‘warm up’ in-house seminar offers a
The law, and the society that
the competent practice of law
This is easily achieved. A vast array
working environment. Many law firms also provide
valuable opportunity for not only a
involves a commitment to ongoing
of programmes are organised by
practice run, but also for the sharing
development long after university.
the Auckland and New Zealand Law
of knowledge and exchange of ideas
This occurs in broadly two ways.
Societies, as well as private providers,
with members of the firm working in
with seminars on technical skills such
other practice areas.
First, there is informal education, which underpins our expertise in
as ‘Drafting Contracts in a Digital
an area and our ability to advise
World’ and ‘Microsoft Outlook for
resulted in fewer opportunities for
clients on any given issue. A lawyer
Lawyers’ to workshops on topics such
in-person seminars and conferences,
cannot assist clients with navigating
as ‘Residential Property Transactions’
the formal CPD providers have been
the latest changes to the Resource
and ‘GST Implications’.
well set up to meet the challenges
Management Act 1991 without first
There are also annual conferences
Although Covid-19 restrictions have
brought about by the pandemic by
being familiar with precisely what
aimed at particular areas of law,
way of virtual seminars. Many of
those changes are, and how they
such as in the areas of property
these providers also offer recordings
could impact on a particular issue. Or,
law, employment law and resource
of previous seminars ‘on demand’,
where a restrictive covenant is in issue
management. These conferences aim
allowing lawyers to conveniently fit
for example, a lawyer would look to
to bring practitioners up to speed on
their ongoing CPD requirements into
the latest decisions out of the courts
latest developments, provide a forum
their busy practices.
SURVEYING+SPATIAL
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Issue 107 March 2022 19
