Free law CPD training courses attract 3,500 solicitors

Ireland’s Law Society’s Diploma Centre has attracted more than 3,500 solicitors and trainee participants for its free continuous professional development (CPD) online courses.

The courses will be delivered fully online through a webcasting system.

This suite of free CPD courses is offered by the Law Society as a response to the current Covid-19 crisis in an initiative to support solicitors and their practices in their continued professional development.

These CPD training courses are designed to ensure that solicitors are able to stay up-to-date on the latest practice changes so they can respond best to their clients’ individual needs.

The society is providing these courses, which include a Certificate in Technology Law and an Introduction to Arts, Entertainment and Media Law, free of charge to help solicitors and trainees to improve their skills amid pandemic restrictions.

Solicitors have a professional obligation to upskill each year and the Law Society provided an opportunity to facilitate this learning and make it as accessible as possible by delivering it online.

The president of the society also exclaimed that enrolment numbers for the free CPD training courses were healthy.

Over 1,700 people had registered for the free online CPD courses within the first two weeks of launching the course and this number has doubled to over 3,500 enrolments.

The Society is committed to offering practical and relevant CPD training courses and has since refreshed and updated its Certificate in Technology Law course.

The course now includes training on data protection, cybersecurity and cybercrime, which have become essential skills as an increasing number of employees are now working from home due to the pandemic.

The Introduction to Arts, Entertainment and Media Law course will provide solicitors with insights into broadcasting, publishing, contractual obligations, and litigation in the entertainment industry, as well as copyright and image rights.

Echoing this, President of Law Society, Michele O’Boyle said, “As COVID-19 developed and restrictions were put in place, the Law Society acted quickly to launch a suite of resources to support solicitors and their practices through continued professional development.”

“Every year solicitors must complete 20 hours of CPD training. Previously, only 50% of this training could be completed online, but due to public health restrictions this has been adapted to allow 100% online CPD learning in 2020,” O’Boyle added.

The Diploma Centre has also announced that it will be awarding discounts for its 2020 certificate and diploma courses to assist eligible solicitors.

According to the discount scheme, any unemployed solicitor, including retired solicitors, will now enjoy a 35% discount on course fees.

Additionally, solicitors who are working reduced hours will be eligible for a 25% discount