The biggest proposed changes include an increase in the required CPD hours from 12 to 24 per year and that activities should be split into two categories; ‘verifiable’ activities and ‘non verifiable’ activities. 

‘Verifiable’ activities, which can be securely evidenced, will include participation in courses, judicial training and work shadowing, development of personal and practical skills through training, teaching (undergraduate level and above), and legal writing e.g. publishing a book or article.

‘Non-verifiable’ activities, for which a declaration will be required, will include reading law reports, statutes or journals, and viewing or listening to broadcasts with a professional legal content.

It is proposed that activities such as supervising pupils, serving on committees or in a judicial capacity and acting as a mediator should not be able to count towards CPD. Barristers will also be required to maintain their own portfolio of evidence indicating the activity, rationale and benefits. A sample of these will be reviewed by the BSB.

The full report, draft handbook and CPD at a glance document can be viewed on the BSB website -  these will be subject to a full consultation from June:

http://www.barstandardsboard.org.uk//Practisingcertandcpd/CPDReview/