Underneath The Radar

As an Advocate, one of my core obligations is to stay 'up to speed' with changes in the law so that I can properly assist my clients and, on occasion, the Court.

It is perhaps surprising that it was not until May 2013 that our Law Society's Code of Conduct was amended so that members must prove that they undertake at least 15 hours of continuing professional development (conferences and private study) each year.

This requirement is modest. Clients understandably expect that we keep up to date with changes in the law that might affect them and their businesses. However, some changes are more obvious than others and a long anticipated change might have little practical impact. At other times, what at first appears to be a modest tweak of a regulation, or an innocuous decision of our Courts, can have unexpected results.