Professional development

The Society fosters and encourages – and now requires – a culture of continual learning within Nova Scotia’s legal profession. Protection of the public is at the core of the Society’s purpose in establishing standards for professional responsibility and ongoing competence of lawyers in an increasingly complex world.

From June 1, 2012, all practising lawyers will be required to complete 12 hours of continuing professional development (CPD) annually, and to report this education on their Annual Member Reports. For complete details and updates, see NSBS CPD Requirement.

• CPD Chart
• CPD Requirement Handbook

The Society also recommends (as it has since 2006) that lawyers engage in at least 50 hours of self-learning/self-study annually, in addition to the new requirement, and that they prepare a yearly professional development plan.

The Society provides ongoing notices and information about CPD resources. The Society also continues to offer the Online Land Registration Act Training Program, which is mandatory for all lawyers who wish to practise property law in the online system, and other occasional mandatory education as directed by Council. LRA resources are also available online.

See the Upcoming events page or the Events calendar for upcoming conferences, seminars, webinars and other offerings. To post a CPD event relevant to the legal profession in Nova Scotia, please fill out the form on our Submit event page. 

The Society has conducted extensive research and consultation in the area of continuing competence. The CPD Working Group (CPDWG) reviewed the conclusions of both the Continuing Competence Task Force (2006-2007) and the Futures Project (2008-2009). In its final report to Council in April 2011, the CPDWG recommended the new requirement because it “represents proactive regulatory action in support of the Society’s mandate to ensure protection of the public and will demonstrate to the public, government and the profession that the Society is committed to establishing, maintaining and enhancing the competence of its members.”

See these reports for more background:

CPD Working Group Final Report (April 20, 2011)

Futures Discussion Paper (November 26, 2009)