Education & Training

The Western Australian Bar seeks to support, promote and encourage the independence of practising solely as a barrister and is committed to promoting the highest standards of competence and ethical practice.  That commitment is evidenced by the quality, nature and variety of our Continuing Professional Development (CPD) programme, and the status of presenters used at our events.

The WA Bar runs CPD events throughout each year.  The events are of a varied nature, presented by current and former members of the judiciary and senior members of the Bar.  The quality and seniority of presenters used at our events, and their preparedness to contribute their time and energy has been and will continue to be a significant factor in ensuring the ongoing success of our CPD programmes.

Members may also access and acquire points for national conferences, CPD webinars and advocacy courses conducted by the Australian Bar Association.  CPD webinars available at ABA On Demand Podcasts and Webinars.

QA Provider of CPD

The WA Bar is approved as a QA Provider of CPD by the Legal Practice Board. Attendance at CPD events conducted by the WA Bar qualifies participants and presenters to CPD points for the purpose of satisfying requirements under Legal Profession Uniform Continuing Professional Development (Barristers) Rules 2015 (Uniform CPD (Barristers) Rules).

CPD Requirements

The CPD year commences on 1 April of each year and concludes on 31 March of the following year. Barristers must complete a minimum of 10 CPD points in a CPD year, and at least 1 CPD point in the four Categories of CPD set out under Rule 9 of the Uniform CPD (Barristers) Rules, namely:

• • • Ethics and Professional Responsibility
    • Practice Management and Business Skills
    • Substantive Law, Practice and Procedure, and Evidence
    • Barristers’ Skills

Barristers may complete all CPD online provided at least 6 points involve an ‘interactive activity’.

Further information about CPD requirements is available here.