CPD Overview

Continuing Professional Development (CPD) is the work undertaken by barristers to develop their skills, knowledge and professional standards. All barristers are required to undertake CPD. In this section, we provide information and guidance for barristers to help them meet their CPD requirements.

As a barrister, from "day one" of practice, after completing your training, you will have acquired the knowledge, skills and attributes outlined in the Professional Statement to at least the level of the Threshold Standard. However, in order to keep yourself up to date and maintain high standards, you need to continually update and develop your knowledge and skills. You will also need to adapt to the changing needs of clients.

If you are a practising barrister, you are subject to the CPD requirements set out in Part 4, Section C of the BSB Handbook. If you are in your first three years of practice, you must follow the New Practitioner Programme (NPP). Following completion of the NPP, you will move onto the Established Practitioner Programme (EPP).

In order to check your compliance with the requirements, from time to time, we spot check a sample of CPD records.

CPD definition

CPD is defined in the BSB handbook (rQ130.2) as “work undertaken over and above the normal commitments of barristers with a view to such work developing their skills, knowledge and professional standards in areas relevant to their present or proposed area of practice, in order to keep themselves up to date and maintain the highest standards of professional practice.”