CPD

What is CPD?

Lawyers in Ontario are required to complete annual CPD requirements to keep the license to practice law in good standing.  The LSO provides a numerous CPD sessions for lawyers to attend each year. A certain number of the required hours must be accredited as Professionalism (out of which, 3 hours must pertain to Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion). These hours must be accredited, either by the law society or by an accredited provider. Training for e-LiRN resources are usually accredited by the vendor, meaning LiRN does not have to take any action to get the accreditation. Some sessions of our annual LwL conference are eligible for Professionalism hours.

CPD programmes for Ontario Lawyers

LiRN has an agreement with the LSO to provide a selected list of titles to the courthouse libraries each year in order to help lawyers across Ontario keep up to date about current legal topics and practices. As of Sept. 2024, they no longer supply this titles in print but online via the Great Library and Ontario Courthouse Libraries Catalogue.

In 2023, the LSO discontinued printing CPD materials for the Great Library.  You can access the full binder contents by searching  GL & Courthouse Libraries Catalogue – Search CPD.  Search for the title that you are looking for.  Select the title and then look for ACCESS ONLINE option.  When you select Access Online, you will see the DOWNLOAD option.  See below for research information.

CPD Contact Information

If you need to contact the CPD department for a change of email address and change of staff name : [email protected]

 

Research using CPD materials

CPD binders are great topical materials and a good place to start your research.  Keep just the current year of CPD titles on the shelf or if it is the only one of its kind, if you are limited on space.  Sometimes it is just easier for the lawyers to browse through and see what is in the publication rather than try to find something online.  They can sign out the book or you can offer to email them similar articles from current, online edition.

GL & Courthouse Catalogue – LSO CPD search (catalogue)

  • As of 2023, you can access the entire CPD binder when you Search EVERYTHING in the catalogue
  • Below the title, you will see ONLINE ACCESS – that is the full binder contents.
  • Select ONLINE ACCESS and then the DOWNLOAD option will appear
  • To browse by individual chapters, select the CPD Option instead of Everything.  Select Browse by Topic to go to AccessCLE.
  • GL has created a Guide to assist you with CPD Searching:  Full Text Searching of CPDs
  • Browse the CPD collection
    • How to Browse Instructions from the GL:
      • The LSO CPD Materials Collection is organized by practice area. Scroll down to load a full list of sub-collections. Browse a sub-collection by clicking on the sub-collection.
      • Practice-area sub-collections are then organized by year, beginning with the most current year. Scroll down to load a full list of years. Click on the year to browse the year’s CPD programs. Users may have to scroll down to load a full list of CPD programs.
      • Selecting a CPD program sub-collection will give users a list of the program’s articles.

 

CPD Collaboration between Libraries aka Group Registration

At the 2023 LwL conference, Betty Dykstra (York) and George Hawtin (Simcoe) demonstrated how they collaborate on CPD sessions to help save their association members money on their attendance costs for CPD sessions.   Check out their presentation here

As of 2026, over 17 courthouse libraries now participate in this cost-savings arrangement.  In 2025, the group made 1,258 registrations for 31 programs (that’s how many programs met the 11-registrant viability threshold), saving lawyers a total of $230,929.29, less any admin fees that went to individual law associations. 17 associations took part – they welcome everyone! 

In addition to registering your lawyers in their group document,  You are also  responsible for ensuring the lawyers who are getting the savings, pay the invoice provided by the Group.  It is not fair for the supporting law association who pays the bulk fee to also have to track down individual lawyers for their payment.  

For further information, please see CPD Group registration page

 

Why is this change from print copies being shipped to only electronic PDFs occurring?

From the Law Society:

 Starting on August 31, 2024 CPD will be transitioning to a fully paperless format for all program materials. This change is part of our ongoing commitment to a greener future and builds on our paperless initiative for program registrants, which began in 2019.

 From August 31, 2024 onward, we will be providing PDF copies only to all library users, including law associations and university law libraries. Great Library already made this transition in 2023, and they have ensured that all catalogue records now include links to the online versions of publications for easy access.

 When will the materials be available

  • PDFs will be emailed to courthouse libraries, the Great Library, and university libraires a couple of weeks after the program is completed (depending upon when materials are provided by the speaker).
  • You do not need to do anything with the PDFs since they will simultaneously be available in InfoLocate. This allows you to print the materials for your library users and insert them in existing binders with new labels if required.
  • If you wish to know when a programme is held, please consult the CPD calendar. The Law Society notes that they may not produce PDFs for all programs as it depends upon the materials that they get from the speakers.

 Who should we contact at the CPD if your email address changes:

  • After the policy takes effect, update your contact information /email address directly to their general customer service contract: [email protected].

How will I access the materials going forward?

 Full programme materials are available via the Great Library’s & Courthouse Librariees catalogue:  Search CPD.

You can search the full-text of the program materials as well as Browse.
Chapters of most CPD programs (when provided by presenters) have been available to Browse by CPD Topic since 2004.

  • The Law Society considers competency with electronic resources as part of a lawyer’s overall competency. This is a good opportunity to show them how easy to access this via the computers in your library on GL& Courthouse Libraries Catalogue – Search CPD .
  • Some libraries may wish print the most popular materials and stick them an existing CPD binders with new labels indicating their year.
  • Some libraries may wish to CREATE “dummy” CPD binders with labels directing users to the most current programmes that are now exclusively online via INFOLOCATE.

Label suggestions include:

    • Looking for a NEW CPD program, they are now available ELECTRONICALLY via GL & Courthouse Libraries Catalogue – Search CPD
    • Search for them using the full title including the year and you will find the complete binder materials under ONLINE ACCESS
    • Ask your librarian for assistance or to mail you a PDF of the materials or just the key chapter that you may be looking for

 

CPD Education Sessions

 These vary for each Association.  This is provided for INFORMATION PURPOSES only.

CPD Online

New November 2018: FOLA has partnered with CPD Online. LiRN does not endorse 3rd parties, but provides the following to any lawyer enquiring:

  1. Visit cpd.video/XXXX > Get Started > Individual Subscription
  2. Use Association Code: “xxxxCPD” at checkout

 Education Session Lunches

  • Education Lunches occur throughout the years with the exclusion of the summer months. Currently Ontario lawyers require 3 h Professionalism, 9 h Substantive each year to maintain their standing with the LSO. By the end of 2020 all lawyers need 3 EDI hours (Professionalism).
  • Topics are generated by the OCJ & Education Committees (Criminal, Family, Civil) and notices emailed to members through monthly newsletter & independent mailings.
  • Notices are sent out to Members, Judges of the OCJ, Justices of the Peace and Crown’s Office, depending on topic. Some CPDs are targeted to only Criminal, Estates, Family members, etc.
  • Lunch may be provided by the Association on a per person basis – sandwiches and desserts.
  • Cost to members is $15 whether eating or not, and whether they attend or not (There are costs involved with the committees organizing the CPDs). Their articling students can attend if room ($15) but no staff or paralegals. As of April 2017, non-member lawyers may attend by paying $35 and only if there is room; they are put on a waitlist. Lawyers only (their articling students are free). There is a cutoff date for RSVP and numbers should be limited to 60.

Registration

  • CPDs are listed on the Association website, advertised in the newsletter (if applicable), posted in the lounge, and targeted emails are sent to members.
  • Registration can be via email, in person, fax, or sign posted in lounge;
  • Payment:  many lawyers still use cheques & cash. Payment at time of sign-up is encouraged (cash, cheque or credit card). If they register via phone, fax, email or in person
  • Lunch & Learns are live and cannot be viewed later. Video replays can be viewed in the Library or lawyer’s office on an alternate date.
  • Receipts can be hand-written using Staples receipt book if asked.
  • After CPD, lawyers will need to be emailed a Record of Attendance sheet.

 

CPD Setup – Live

(Note:  cheaper to do replays than live but no opportunity to ask questions)

This are suggested procedures but application may vary in each library.

Make sure you have a list of all registrants. Bring to CPD with a pencil, envelope and a few $5 bills. Mark off attendees and add payments made as applicable.

After CPD will use these stats to email CPD Hours Sheet to paid registrants.

  • Turn on TVs with Vizio remote, set INPUT to laptop.
  • Connect laptop to power and to tv with HDMI to wall (not to tv) > automatically shows desktop (laptop password)
  • If using audio from laptop, plug in audio cord from laptop speaker port to wall. If not, leave unconnected.
  • Audio System – turn on POWER lower right. Turn on power corresponding to microphone(s) RED, BLUE, YELLOW and/or GREEN. Use corresponding volume control, not master volume.
  • Microphones turn on power switch. Mute button available. Clips on to lapel & belt. Test volume level from back of room.
  • Get out podium. Mouse will work from there.
  • Mark attendance & take cash/cheque payment. Debit/credit card people told to do online or come to library later. CPD receipts are emailed after event, not handed out at the time. Sometimes the presenters leave materials to be attached. Send to all registrants, whether attended, paid or not.

Post-CPD

  • Turn system and mic off (hold down mic ON switch until off)
  • Store extra food in fridge & put out next day lunchtime with Help Yourself sign
  • Email CPD hours receipt & any handouts to all paid registrants

From Event Registrants list > Email registrants > CPD Receipt template > fill in > Send

CPD Setup – Video Replays

These webcasts have been created by the LSO after a CPD has taken place.  Joint viewing can be set up as CPD session.  Tip:  Can be downloaded in advance.  These steps are a suggestion from your colleagues but may vary from each association.

You may have an Association account on the LSO Store where the mp4 files & related PDF materials are located.

  • Login at: https://store.lso.on.ca/
  • My Account
  • Returning Customer (Non-Licensees Only)
  • Login password
  • Purchased Programs > Details > Download mp4 to “20xx LSO CPD” folder laptop desktop

Watch at Office/Home (Instructions for Lawyers):

  • Go to store page https://store.lso.ca
  • Click “My Account”
  • LSO members click on blue box under “Lawyer and Paralegal Login”
  • Enter name & password Purchased Programs > Details > Click here to view on demand

If they want to watch the same day they register & don’t have their own link yet, log into your Association account then send the link but have them fill out their own information. https://store.LSO.on.ca/customer/info

  • An alternative method is to send the downloaded file from the laptop desktop (but often too large for email accounts).
  • A common problem with not seeing the video is they have flash or video content blocked. Click the “i” in the search bar and give permission

Procedures to set up a Video replay in your Library / Lounge:

One day before:

  • Download mp4 file to library laptop
  • Print CPD materials table of contents (only) for registrants, as they can access all the PDF materials in their portal
  • Post notice if lounge reserved for CPD if applicable

Day of:

  • Food and drink often provided but check with your Association.
  • Starts 2:30, usually 3-4 hours
  • Turn off paging system, print & post sign for others
  • Ask viewers to let you know when break so can fast forward through it
  • Check near end; viewers often leave during the Q&A at the end

If you have a tip or contribution about CPD that you wish to share?