The CPD system for solicitors in Northern Ireland is structured and category-based, with clear annual requirements set by the Law Society of Ireland. It focuses on maintaining professional competence through ongoing education in ethics, wellbeing, client care, and legal compliance.
PD able gives Northern Irish solicitors the structure and tools to meet these obligations—track hours, manage categories, and log completion methods across both live and online formats.
SYSTEM SUMMARY
- Annual CPD requirement:
- 25 hours of CPD for most solicitors
- 8 hours for senior practitioners (40+ years in practice)
- Mandatory categories (included in the 25 hours):
- 5 hours in Professional Development & Solicitor Wellbeing
- 3 hours in Client Care & Professional Standards
- 1 hour in Accounting & Anti-Money Laundering (for sole practitioners & compliance partners)
- Completion methods:
- At least 5 hours (20%) via in-person group study
- Up to 20 hours (80%) via eLearning
- Up to 12.5 hours (50%) may be earned by writing or publishing relevant materials
- No more than 7 hours per day can be claimed
- Exemptions:
- Leave (e.g. maternity, illness) or other exceptional circumstances may qualify for a reduced requirement or waiver, upon approval from the Law Society’s Education Committee.
A family of systems for Lawyers across the UK
PD able supports solicitors across all UK jurisdictions with tailored systems:
- Lawyers – Northern Ireland (selected)
- Lawyers – England & Wales
- Lawyers – Scotland
Each version is built to reflect the local CPD rules, helping solicitors stay compliant and consistent—even when relocating.
REVIEW
The CPD system in Northern Ireland is structured yet flexible—designed to keep solicitors professionally current and ethically aligned. PD able makes meeting these expectations clear and achievable, with tools that support all formats of learning and category tracking.