Speaking to Lawyers Weekly as part of the CPD focus fortnight, Sarah Mateljan, director at LawCPD, provided some insight into what lawyers should know if they find themselves yet to complete their requirements.

Ms Mateljan said while most tend to obtain their points well before the 31 March deadline, there are many options available to latecomers.

“We’ve seen a lot of interest in our courses from lawyers this year, as online learning becomes more and more popular,” she said.

“There are always some lawyers who leave their CPD to the last minute, mainly due to time constraints, but they probably don’t represent the majority of lawyers.

“If you have left your CPD to the last minute this year, online CPD is a great way to make sure you cover your core requirements because it is available on-demand, 24/7.”

To avoid the rush next year, Ms Mateljan advised lawyers to start looking for CPD activities “that you find interesting in April and try to do something each month”.

“It is also good to aim for a mix of activities – online and in-person – to make sure you are benefiting from the different learning styles these offer,” she added.

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Going forward, Ms Mateljan encouraged all lawyers to try LawCPD’s online courses.

“They offer a convenient way to meet the core CPD requirements while learning from leading legal experts, no matter where you live and work in Australia,” she noted.

Ms Mateljan also spoke to Lawyers Weekly about how this time of year presents a good opportunity for lawyers to upskill themselves on the recent threats that have impacted Australian businesses.

“We are constantly releasing new courses and updating our content to address recent trends and challenges facing the legal profession, and this year was no exception,” she said.

“The escalating threat that cyber risk poses to Australian businesses means that it is critical for lawyers advising businesses to understand this rapidly evolving area of law. In response to this trend we recently published a course on ‘Directors’ Duties and Liabilities When Faced With Cyber Risks’ to help lawyers build their understanding of the impact of cyber threat on businesses and the legal responsibilities of directors in this context.

“The ongoing Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety has brought the issue of elder abuse front and centre over the past year. Our recent course on the topic ‘Elder Abuse and Lawyers’ Ethical Responsibilities’ is designed to enable lawyers to better understand the signs of elder abuse and how to respond to ensure they meet their ethical obligations.” 

Related:

• How escalating threats bolster upskilling opportunities