Legal Profession Uniform Continuing Professional Development (Barristers) Rules 2015

On application by a barrister, the designated local regulatory authority may exempt the barrister in whole or in part from any requirement to undertake CPD activities imposed by these Rules.

An application for exemption—

must be in writing, and

if made in respect of the current CPD year, must be made as early as practicable in that year and, in any event, not less than one month before the end of that year, and

if made in respect of a previous CPD year, must be made within 21 days after the barrister becomes aware of his or her non-compliance with the relevant requirement to undertake CPD activities.

The designated local regulatory authority may consider an application made outside the time periods referred to in rule 13(2), if the designated local regulatory authority considers that there are special circumstances.

Without limiting the grounds on which the designated local regulatory authority may grant an exemption, an exemption may be granted on the following grounds—

illness or disability,

the absence of the barrister from practice for example due to parenting leave,

hardship or other special circumstances.