LawNet is to provide its CPD accredited training free of charge to members, saying it wants to help firms maintain training standards against a backdrop of tough economic trading conditions
Free CPD training for LawNet members
LawNet is to provide its CPD accredited training free of charge to members, saying it wants to help firms maintain training standards against a backdrop of tough economic trading conditions. The scheme was successfully piloted on a selection of courses earlier this year and is now to be rolled out for a full year.
LawNet, the leading law firm network with nearly 70 mid size independent law firm members, delivers over 50 CPD accredited learning events each year for its member firms, covering a wide range of technical, practice management and business development topics.
And now around 35 of these will be delivered free of charge during the coming year, with 1400 delegate places across over 20 specialist practice areas.
“We recognise that in tough economic times, it’s often training budgets that get slashed but this is just the time that firms most need to invest in skills to stay ahead. We do not want our firms to suffer from lack of skills or the benefits that come from getting together and engaging in face-to-face learning,” explained director of services Helen Hamilton-Shaw.
“As we operate as a mutual organisation for the benefit of members, our training delivery has always been delivered on a not for profit basis. Because of the growth of the network over the last year, combined with savings elsewhere, we’ve been able to make this happen and help our firms at a very practical level. The backbone of our network is the quality ethos; all our firms must maintain our ISO.9001 standard, and ongoing training is key to good practice and risk management.”
John Britten of Actons, LawNet member in Nottingham, has welcomed the free CPD saying: “For me the training and sharing of knowledge continues to be one of the most important aspects of membership.
“The training is developed in response to what members actually want, and as we are a group of like-minded firms of a similar profile, wanting broadly the same sort of training, it’s a bit like having bespoke in-house training but at a very good value rate – even better value now that so many courses will be free.”
Specialist professional development and residential courses run by LawNet will continue to be chargeable, including their strategic leadership and management programme, which involves leading specialist speakers.