New Zealand's lawyers are nearing the end of the first year in which they have been required to complete Continuing Professional Development (CPD).

The first full CPD year ends on 31 March 2015 and all lawyers who hold a current practising certificate are required to make a declaration that they have completed the required number of hours and maintained a CPD Plan and Record.

The New Zealand CPD initiative is internationally regarded as innovative and progressive. Each lawyer is required to assess their own learning and development needs and prepare an appropriate plan to address and enhance these.

All lawyers who provide regulated services are required to complete and reflect on a minimum of 10 hours of CPD activities related to their self-defined learning needs.

The New Zealand Law Society is now requesting lawyers who have completed their required CPD hours to make the declaration.

The Law Society has provided lawyers with detailed information on the declaration process. Lawyers are required to login to the Law Society's Registry, using their practising certificate user ID and a password.

The Law Society says any lawyers who have forgotten their passwords may easily obtain a new one by entering their user ID on the login page, stating that they do not know their password, and sending the email to the Registry. A new temporary password is sent immediately by return email.

Once logged in, lawyers make their declaration on the "CPD" page by indicating in the appropriate place that they have completed their CPD requirements. 

Email: