CPD Podcasting: How it works

What is a 'CPDcast'?
A CPDcast is an audio podcast that contains high quality legal content. A podcast itself is just like a radio show – but distributed online.

How much does it cost?
The standard price is £25. Corporate users may pay less.

How can I listen to the CPDcasts?
You can either download them to a portable player (such as an iPod) to listen to at your convenience, or you can listen to them directly from your computer (subject to your computer having audio capabilities). We offer other ways to listen through our bespoke services division.

Do I need an iPod or MP3 player?
Absolutely not! You can listen to CPDcasts directly through the website, or you can save them to your computer and listen to them at a later date – even if you're not connected to the Internet.

I'm interested in contributing to a future CPDcast...
The easiest way to alert us to this is to simply tick the “Yes please - I'm interested in finding out more about contributing” field when you register. If you are already registered, you can easily amend your contact preferences in the My Account section to include this. Once you tick this box, you will automatically be placed on our “Potential Contributor” database and we will contact you if something that we believe is relevant should arise. Alternatively, if you have an idea for a future CPDcast and would like to get in touch immediately, please contact us.

How do I comment on a CPDcast?
Please contact us using our form. We welcome all feeback, good or bad.

Can I have the CPDcasts on CD?
Absolutely. This falls under our bespoke services, and is an additional tailored service that we offer.

Can you help me produce my own podcasts?
Unfortunately CPDcast.com LTD does not take on any podcasting projects on behalf of clients. However, we would recommend the podcasting specialists Podlab, who are responsible for our audio production.

Who are the Contributors?
Contributors are drawn from varying fields and share one core criteria: they are all subject-matter experts. This means that we regularly have CPDcasts containing a combination of Barristers, Solicitors and other legal professionals – and get a unique mixture of perspectives as a result.

How often are the CPDcasts reviewed?
Most CPDcasts are reviewed for suitability and relevance every three months. The main exception to this rule is in the case of CPDcasts that contain references to cases or acts that have a limited relevance after a certain date. As a result, we cannot guarantee that all CPDcasts will remain on the website indefinitely.

How many times can I listen to a CPDcast?
There is no limit to the number of times that you can listen to a CPDcast. However, we would take this opportunity to alert you to the fact that we log the number of listens/downloads that a CPDcast receives, both for our internal purposes (e.g. monitoring potential security breaches and piracy) and on behalf of the Bar Council/Law Society.

Do I have to listen to a CPDcast immediately after purchasing it?
No – but we would strongly recommend that you listen to any purchased CPDcasts within 14 days of purchase, as some CPDcasts have a limited life-span on the website due to their content becoming outdated.

Do I have to take the test straight away?
No. The test can be taken at any time once it has been downloaded, but we would strongly recommend that you do it within 14 days of purchase, as some CPDcasts have a limited life-span on the website due to their content becoming outdated.

Do all CPDcasts count for 30 minutes of CPD?
CPDcasts are designed to be convenient and portable – perfect for a train journey or spare half an hour. As such, few will ever have lengths of greater than 30 minutes. Equally, it is unlikely that we will offer any full-priced CPDcasts with lengths of less than 30 minutes, although certain shorter CPDcasts may be made available at no cost.

I am a barrister. What are my CPD obligations?
The CPD year for barristers runs from 1 January to 31 December with all returns due by 31 January in the following year. For established practitioners (being barristers who have completed the first three years of practice), a minimum of 12 hours CPD must be completed, of which a minimum of 4 hours must be accredited. For practitioners in the first three years of practice, a minimum of 45 hours of CPD training must be obtained, of which at least 9 hours must be advocacy training and 3 hours must be ethics training. The three year period begins upon commencement of tenancy, a third six, employed practice or a period of squatting. For full details of the relevant requirements, please refer to the Bar Standards Board’s website at www.barstandardsboard.org.uk

I am a solicitor. What are my CPD obligations?
The CPD year for solicitors and RELs runs from 1 November to 31 October. Newly qualified solicitors and RELs must undertake one hour of CPD for each complete month worked from the date of admission/registration to 31 October. Those admitted/registered on 1 November will go straight into their first CPD year. The CPD requirement for solicitors and RELs in their first CPD year and thereafter is 16 hours. At least 25% (4 hours) of the requirement must be met by attending or participating in courses offered by the Law Society Providers and which are more than one hour in duration. The remaining 75% (12 hours) of the requirement can be met by undertaking other activites, including listening to audio material by authories providers (such as CPDcast.com). Actual time taken can be claimed. For a full list of other activities will meet the 75% requirement, visit the website below.

Are the CPDcasts accredited by the Law Society and Bar Council?
All of our CPDcasts are fully accredited by both the Law Society and the Bar Council. In order to obtain accreditation for a CPDcast that you have listened to, it will be necessary to complete the test associated with the CPDcast.

How do I obtain accreditation for listening?
In order to obtain accreditation for listening to a CPDcast, it is necessary to complete the associated test. The test can be carried out either straight after the it has finished streaming or 30 minutes after the download, thus enabling you to listen to the CPDcast in the car or on the train and to complete the test the next day. Access to the test can be found on the individual CPDcast’s information page (once 30 minutes have elapsed), or through the My Account section.

What is the pass rate?
The pass rate varies according to the test and the number of questions asked. It is rarely necessary to answer all questions correctly, but generally most questions need to be answered correctly to obtain accreditation.

Do I have to get each CPDcast accredited?
Accreditation (and accordingly undertaking the test) is not compulsory. Taking the test is only necessary if you want to claim accredited points for listening to the CPDcast. Details of the number of accredited points needed by solicitors and barristers respectively are set out above.