CPD from afar
20 Sep 04
Competence Committee has finalised guidance in relation to distance learning
by Alison Atack
Following upon last December’s Journal article the Competence Committee has now finalised the guidelines in relation to Distance Learning which in the past has counted towards private study only. From 1st November 2003 Distance Learning will be accepted as Group Study as defined below.
The new Distance Learning guidance will be effective 1st October 2003 in relation to carrying forward hours into the 2003 / 2004 practice year otherwise from 1st November 2003. The CPD Record Cards issued in December 2003 will display the new guidelines.
Distance Learning is defined as: Continuing Professional Development delivered by a permitted provider, remote to the audience, which includes marked assignments, or multi-choice questionnaires, or records of e-mail conferencing / communications or an essay or a dissertation or any other proof of interactive participation.
Distance Learning provided by permitted providers will be permissible up to a maximum of five hours of the fifteen hours allocated to Group Study.
Providers will be required under the monitoring arrangements to provide evidence of a 5% random selection of participants’ participative work and also provide a summary of the performance of all solicitor participants.
Distance Learning providers will be required to apply to the Competence Committee for permission which may be granted upon satisfactory completion by the provider of an application including an undertaking confirming that the courses offered to our members will satisfy the definition of Distance Learning above. Application forms are available from the Secretary, Competence Committee (georgesamson@lawscot.org.uk).
The fees to be charged to providers will be fixed for a pilot term of three years. All providers will be required to re-register at the start of the 2006/2007 practice year.
Providers joining in the first practice year 2003 /2004 will be charged a Registration Fee of £1000 in the first year, an administration fee of £250 in the 2004/2005 practice year and a further administration fee of £250 in the 2005/2006 practice year.
Providers joining in the second practice year 2004 /2005 will be charged a Registration Fee of £1000 in the first year, and an administration fee of £250 in the 2005/2006 practice year.
Providers joining in the third practice year 2005 /2006 will be charged a Registration Fee of £1000 only.
The Competence Committee is pleased to be able to open this opportunity to the profession in Scotland.
Alison M. Atack, Convener, Competence Committee and Partner, Kidstons 7 Co.,Bearsden.