CPD competition

Since 1 November 2011, a number of changes have been introduced in relation to the requirements for solicitors’ CPD. The minimum number of CPD hours that solicitors require to undertake each year remains at 20; this can include up to five hours’ private study. All CPD undertaken must be relevant to a solicitor’s individual development needs.

One of the key elements of the changes is the requirement to plan, record and justify your CPD each year, to ensure all CPD undertaken is relevant, suitable and assists your own personal, professional and business development and knowledge. Each solicitor will have a number of requirements and goals in relation to their CPD each year and the Society is keen to assist with ensuring that members achieve their aims. Networking has been identified as one key area where many firms, organisations and individuals are keen to increase their skills, to develop and build new and existing relationships.

For those keen to make networking a central part of their CPD, the Society is running a competition that could prove invaluable to you and your organisation.

The top prize is a six-month membership package with Thrive, Scotland’s leading B2B networking organisation. Thrive meetings follow a formula of structure and facilitation designed to deliver results, with VIP speakers, and guaranteed fresh faces at every meeting, designed to grow your network appropriately. This prize will go to two solicitors, and is worth £1,715 plus VAT per membership in each Thrive Services Club, one in Edinburgh and one in Glasgow. They will be awarded to the individuals who, in the opinion of the judging panel, best show how networking can enhance their skills and be central to personal and professional development, which will assist their firm/organisation.

Two runner-up prizes of any Law Society CPD event for free will also be available. We suggest this prize is particularly suited to solicitors between three and 10 years’ PQE.

How to enter

Simply complete a plan for your year’s activity, highlighting why networking forms an important part of this, and send to us at newlawyers@lawscot.org.uk

An example plan format is shown below to help start you off. All entrants should refer to the CPD handbook for more details (www.lawscot.org.uk/cpd). The winner must also be prepared to blog about their experiences during the year. We will then host the blogs on the Society’s website.

Further information about Thrive can be found at www.thriveforbusiness.co.uk. Details of the prize, and terms and conditions, can be found at: www.lawscot.org.uk/cpd.

The closing date for entry is 24 February 2012 and the winner will be announced in March 2012. Please email newlawyers@lawscot.org.uk if you have any queries.