How Many CPD Hours Do BC Lawyers Need?
In British Columbia (BC), the Law Society of BC mandates that practicing lawyers must complete at least 12 hours of accredited continuing professional development (CPD) each calendar year. Of those 12 hours, at least 2 must be on professional ethics and/or practice management.
The Law Society of BC’s program aims to be flexible to help lawyers meet requirements in ways that match their own professional goals and learning preferences.
You can visit the Law Society of BC’s website to stay up to date with the latest CPD requirements.
What activities qualify for CPD Credit?
There are a variety of ways that lawyers can meet their CPD hours, and a variety of different types of activities that qualify. Activities include:
Courses
Online Interactive Programs
Local Bar and CBA Section Meetings
Study Groups
Teaching
Writing
Mentoring
Pro Bono legal services
You can read the full list of eligible activities on the Law Society of BC website here.
What are the requirements for professional ethics and practice management?
Completing at least 2 credits in professional ethics and/or practice management is a key part of lawyers CPD requirements. These categories are an important part of a lawyer’s continued education and practice:
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This CPD topic is content that focuses on the professional and ethical practice of law. This includes conducting your practice in a manner that is consistent with accepted principles of professional conduct, as well as the Legal Profession Act, the Law Society of BC Rules, and the Code of Professional Conduct for British Columbia.
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A broad number of topics including:
Client care and relations, including managing difficult clients
Trust accounting requirements
Federal and provincial tax remittances
Technology to assist running a law practice
Retainer agreements and billing practices related to Law Society of BC requirements
Managing client expectations related to fees and disbursements
File systems, including retention and disposal
Emergency planning
Managing law firm staff
Identifying conflicts
Diary and time management systems
Avoiding fraud
Complying with Law Society of BC Rules
Understanding the business of law
Multicultural, diversity, and equity issues that arise within the legal context
Mentoring best practices for lawyers
Succession planning and related issues
Read the full list here.
How does Rise Professional Legal Education (RPLE) help lawyers meet their CPD requirements?
RPLE is a trusted, year-round provider of specialized legal education for family law professionals across British Columbia. RPLE provides CPD accredited courses on family law topics that are built on Rise's frontline case experience and original research, the kind of practical, precedent-aware content that's genuinely hard to find elsewhere. Courses run as live sessions with recordings available on demand afterwards, so lawyers can take part whenever fits their schedule and CPD timeline.
RPLE also strives to help lawyers meet their 2 credits of professional ethics and/or practice management each year with a variety of options to ensure that lawyers can meet this requirement with ease in engaging and thoughtful learning opportunities.
ty with clients who have experienced or are experiencing violence. We believe that a critical element of ethics in family law is ensuring lawyers learn skills on navigating family violence in family law files, and these skills are essential for serving clients and working towards their best interest.
What are the benefits of taking RPLE’s courses to meet CPD requirements?
Our front-line work and our original research give us expertise that you won’t find at other training institutes. Our course offerings are delivered by lawyers and other professionals, for family law lawyers or practitioners in the gender-based violence sector. Through our ongoing service provision, we monitor current trends and deliver trainings on emerging issues, ensuring our learning content is relevant and practical.
Learn at your own pace with on-demand learning or connect with us in a live session. If your firm or team needs a custom training, we can offer custom programs designed around your specific needs.
How does taking a RPLE course benefit the community?
As a social enterprise of Rise Women’s Legal Centre, all purchases go right back into strengthening Rise’s services and programs.
Unlike other CPD providers, when you take a training or a course through RPLE you will be helping women and gender diverse people across BC access family law services. You will be supporting the 80% of Rise’s clients who experience family violence and helping fund our systemic work to make positive changes to the family law system for all. Using RPLE as a CPD provider is an opportunity to make a real impact in your community.