The New Zealand Law Society has introduced new rules requiring lawyers to undertake a mandatory Continuing Professional Development (CPD) programme. These rules require lawyers to plan and undertake at least 10 hours of CPD activities each year.
The first full CPD year commences on 1 April 2014, although a 6 month transitional period commenced on 1 October 2013, where 5 hours can be carried forward into the first CPD year. The CPD obligations will apply to all practicing lawyers and in-house counsel who hold practising certificates.
Further details about the new CPD requirements can be found on the New Zealand Law Society’s website.
Navigating the evolving challenges of electronic information and legal technology
Further training in the requirements of eDiscovery is increasingly important for lawyers, as the eDiscovery process is now an unavoidable part of any litigation or investigation. Training on how to conduct electronic discovery effectively should be on the radar of all litigation lawyers and can now be part of any litigators CPD programme.
The E-Discovery process does present lawyers with new challenges and requires new skills from what many have been accustomed to. These challenges require lawyers to have a greater grasp of electronic and technology issues than was ever required in a traditional paper based world. If electronic discovery is not conducted properly it can result in many unnecessary costs. To avoid this, it is essential to seek further training, or have available specialised expertise that can navigate you through e-discovery issues.
In today’s digital world the increasing sources and volumes of electronic information is making the discovery process more challenging. There is now a greater intersection between the law and technology with e-discovery now an important consideration for anyone involved in litigation.
There is now a considerable amount of work and expertise required earlier in the process to assess a proportionate and cost effective approach. To successfully conduct e-discovery under the new discovery rules it is essential to have a comprehensive understanding of the entire electronic discovery process.
Technology is constantly evolving as are the tools and best practices to carry out electronic discovery efficiently and cost effectively. It is important that those participating in litigation keep up to speed with these developments.
eDiscovery CPD seminars
Over the past 3 years I have run a programme of CLE seminars on electronic discovery and other legal technology topics. The seminars look to equip legal professionals with the further skills and the necessary grounding in electronic discovery and legal technology.
The eDiscovery seminars compliment the new CPD requirements as they can be tailored to suit the continuing needs of the lawyer. The seminars are continuously updated to keep up abreast with latest developments as both best practices and technology continue to evolve at an alarming rate.
The new CPD seminars will provide legal professionals with a greater understanding of eDiscovery best practices, as well as meeting their new CPD obligations.
