Currently, all practising members are required to complete The Communication Toolkit by December 31, 2026, if they have not already done so.

The Business of Law Course is also mandatory for some members, in accordance with section 11 of the Rules on Mandatory Continuing Professional Development under the Law Society Act, 1996.

Both courses are provided free of charge by the Law Society and are available on the Law Society’s Online Learning Center.

The following activities may be reported for CPD credit, provided they relate to the subject matter requirements set out in Appendix A or Appendix B:

      a. Courses, conferences, or sessions with an educational purpose, whether in person,                      online, virtual, streamed, recorded, or by teleconference.

      b. Structured activities (such as study groups and in-house educational sessions),                            other educational programs, and meetings addressing qualifying subject matter,                          provided that:
             
                                i. at least two lawyers are together for educational purposes (including                                               by real-time communication technology); and
               
                                ii. a lawyer has overall responsibility for each meeting. 

      c. Teaching a course or presenting at a conference or session with an educational                            purpose, including preparation time actually spent, up to two (2) hours of preparation per            hour of teaching or presentation.

                                Important note: Preparation time may only be reported the first time the                                          teaching or presentation is performed in the reporting year and the first time                                  it is delivered in another language during the same reporting year.

      d. Writing that is published on a topic that meets the subject matter requirements set                      out in Appendix A or Appendix B. Hours must be reported in the year of publication. For              clarity, publication does not include materials prepared for a court, client, or other                        counsel in the course of legal practice.

See Appendix A for a description of qualifying topics and examples.

The following activities do not qualify as CPD:

      • Self-study:
        Independent, self-directed learning does not qualify as CPD.
     
      • Firm marketing and profit-focused activities:
        Activities primarily focused on promotion, business development, or profit                                      maximization do not qualify.
     
      • Client-focused or public-facing activities:
        Activities directed primarily at clients, including pro bono activities, do not qualify.
     
      • Pro bono work:
        Pro bono work does not meet the criteria for qualifying CPD activities under section 12              of the Requirements.
     
      • Mentoring or facilitating:
        Serving as a mentor or facilitator does not qualify as CPD.
        Members may only report CPD credits for approved training sessions designed for                      the preparation of facilitators or mentors. For the Bar Admission Program, these                          sessions typically qualify for two (2) or three (3) CPD hours, depending on the session.

Qualifying CPD activities must fall within one of the following categories:
     
      • Professional Responsibility and Ethics
      • Substantive Law
      • Procedural Law
      • Lawyering Skills

(see Appendix A or Appendix B).
 

No. The Law Society of New Brunswick does not accredit or pre-approve CPD programming. 

Members are responsible for selecting CPD activities in good faith and ensuring they meet the subject matter requirements set out in Appendix A or Appendix B.

CPD courses are available from a variety of sources, including:

      • Law Society of New Brunswick

               ○ The Business of Law Course (free course – approx. 6 credits)
               ○ The Communication Toolkit (free course – approx. 2 credits)

      • Federation of Law Societies of Canada

               ○ Anti-Money Laundering (free course – approx. 4 credits)

      • Other CPD providers, including: 

               ○ CBA–New Brunswick
               ○ CBA National
               ○ AJEFNB
               ○ APTLA
               ○ Advocates’ Society
               ○ Other provincial law societies
               ○ Legal and professional education organizations

Members remain responsible for ensuring that any CPD activity claimed meets the subject matter requirements set out in Appendix A or Appendix B.