A plain guide to CLE and CPD events.
An independent reference on the formats continuing legal education takes, and how accredited credits are typically earned. It is written for practitioners who simply want to understand the landscape before choosing a course. No affiliation with any provider, bar association, or vendor.
Common event formats
Live conferences
Multi-track events where credits are tied to verified attendance at individual sessions.
Webinars
Remote sessions with participation checks; the most common way credits are earned today.
Workshops & clinics
Smaller, skills-focused sessions, often carrying practical or ethics credit.
On-demand courses
Recorded material with an assessment, where the jurisdiction permits self-study credit.
How credits generally work
Most jurisdictions express continuing legal education as a number of credit hours per reporting period, sometimes with sub-requirements for ethics or professional responsibility. Credit is usually granted only when attendance or completion is verified, which is why live and on-demand formats track participation. One credit hour commonly corresponds to a set block of instructional time, though the exact definition and any carry-over of surplus hours vary.
Accreditation rules differ widely between jurisdictions. Some require courses to be pre-approved before they are offered, while others allow a provider or an individual to apply for recognition after the fact. This page is a general orientation only — always confirm requirements with the relevant accrediting authority before relying on any course for credit.
Choosing a format
The right format depends on your schedule, the type of credit you still need, and how you learn best. Live conferences and workshops favour discussion and networking, while webinars and on-demand courses offer flexibility for those balancing a busy caseload. Where a reporting period includes a specialised requirement, such as ethics, it is worth confirming early that a chosen course actually carries that category of credit rather than general hours alone.
Verifying accreditation
Before enrolling, check that the course is recognised in the jurisdiction where you report, note the number and category of hours it carries, and keep your own record of completion. Accrediting bodies typically publish current rules and approved-provider lists; treat those published sources as authoritative if any detail here appears to differ.
Frequently asked questions
Do recorded courses always count?
Not always. Self-study credit is permitted in some jurisdictions and capped or excluded in others.
Are credits transferable between jurisdictions?
Sometimes, through reciprocity, but the rules vary; confirm acceptance before relying on outside credit.