Recorded Webinar: 3 CPD Compulsory Topics for Lawyers – a national webinar for lawyers

This webinar comprises 3 one-hour sessions covering each of the compulsory CPD subjects for lawyers for the CPD year ending 31 March 2021.

Session 1: Practice Management Business Skills

Estimating Fees and Getting Costing Right

This session looks at what we normally get wrong in fee estimates and costing. Understanding the no-go zones on costing provides a path forward in efficient practice management. It includes:

• Understanding legal obligation in costing - yours and theirs
• What is required in cost disclosure? – be-spoked estimates and explaining major variables where applicable

• The engagement letter - who is the client? how are costs calculated?
• Descriptive scope of work and estimates for each step
• Interim billing and how it conforms to overall estimate
• Navigating the fixed fee and billable hour conundrum
• Time costing - what is claimable and what is not claimable

Session 2: Professional Skills

Ready, Steady, Go: Preparing for a Mediation

The opportunities offered by mediation can readily be squandered by failure to properly prepare. This session will guide practitioners through the key aspects of preparing and running a successful mediation, including:

• When and why mediation should be a choice
• Selecting the right mediator and setting terms
• Understanding the case including:

• the issues, strengths and weaknesses
• your side and the other side: a 360 degree view
• money or something more?

• Determining the point of compromise or bottom line
• Do you and your client want to achieve the same thing?
• At the mediation:

• what are the physical arrangements?
• process and agenda
• what do you need to bring or have on hand?
• managing emotions – support arrangements

• Settlement options and draft agreements
• Next steps following an unsuccessful outcome

Session 3: Legal Ethics

Professionalism in the 21st Century: A Primer for Lawyers

What does it mean to be part of the legal profession and what is professionalism in practice? This session will provide best practice guidance on expected duties and behaviour of legal practitioners, and examine:

• What are the major aspects of professionalism?
• Why is professionalism fundamental to the practice of law?
• Impact of the digital era on the profession
• A refresher on some key ethical standards and obligations:

• professional courtesy
• integrity and honesty
• diligence

• Regulating the profession – who’s in charge in what can they do?
• Common pitfalls and problems – tales from the coalface