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Professional Development Department - the year in review

Darren Patterson

Head of Professional Development Darren.Patterson@lawsoc-ni.org

The Professional Development Department is responsible for the education and training, both pre and post-qualification, of solicitors. It is also responsible for the process of admission to the Roll of Solicitors (in conjunction with the Registrar). The Department supports the work of the Society’s Education Committee.

Key activities throughout 2022 focused on both entry to the profession and Continuing Professional Development.

The Department has responsibility for all matters relating to the registration of students of the Society to undertake a two-year programme of vocational training. This year saw a notable increase in the number of registrations in comparison with previous years with a total of 155 trainee solicitors commencing their traineeship in September 2022.

The team also coordinated the Law Society Module which forms part of the IPLS course. This includes the examinable elements of Solicitors’ Accounts and Professional Conduct as well as units covering Client Complaints and Solicitors’ Regulatory Obligations. In total, 111 trainees completed and passed the Law Society module in 2022.

The Professional Development team continued its work on all areas relating to the in-career, lifelong learning of members. This included monitoring compliance with the CPD Scheme and providing advice, guidance and support for solicitors on the CPD requirements. In 2022, the CPD team has overseen the continued growth and development of the Society’s CPD provision in terms of the delivery methods, scope and number of courses. It continues to ensure the Society’s CPD offering remains relevant and fulfils members’ learning and development requirements.

While the relaxation of COVID restrictions has seen a return to some in-person CPD, a strong focus on digital delivery has remained. Feedback from members regarding online CPD continues to be positive and online delivery remains an important element of the Society’s CPD proposition.

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