By Barbara Whittle

Attorneys who have recently been issued with their first Fidelity Fund certificate and who need to complete their mandatory practice management obligations before the end of 2013 should note that the closing date to register for the first intake of training for the Legal Education and Development (LEAD) practice management training is Friday, 14 December 2012. LEAD has been accredited by the provincial law societies to provide this training.

Practice management training is offered on an attendance and distance learning basis in centres around the country. The same outcomes, content and assessment apply to both methods of training. The training is based on modules and requires the participant to submit three assignments. The Law Society of South Africa (LSSA) only awards the final certificate once the participant has successfully completed the training and has complied with the course requirements.

Apply to your provincial law society for exemption and extension

Those attorneys who believe they have appropriate prior experience in practice management can apply for exemption to the provincial law society in their jurisdiction. Applications for extension should also be forwarded to the relevant provincial law societies and not to the LSSA. For more information on applying for exemption and extensions, see 2012 (Sept) DR 14.

Training information: Full information on the LEAD practice management training and registration forms are available on the LEAD website at www.LSSALEAD.org.za or by e-mailing pmt@LSSALEAD.org.za or telephone (012) 441 4614 or (012) 441 4609.

Compiled by Barbara Whittle, communication manager, Law Society of South Africa, barbara@lssa.org.za

This article was first published in De Rebus in 2012 (Nov) DR 21.