What is a CPD Cycle? 

 

A CPD cycle will run for 24 months. The present CPD cycle started on 1 July 2026, and it will be concluded on 30 June 2028.

 

The CPD Scheme is currently mandatory for lawyers who were admitted to the Malaysian Bar from 1 July 1991 onwards, and pupils in chambers who have commenced their pupillage from 1 July 2016 onwards.

 

Failure to comply with the CPD requirements may result in penalty fines being imposed, but this can only take effect when the Legal Profession Act 1976 has been amended. Presently, non-compliance with the CPD requirements will not affect the renewal of Sijil Annual/Practising Certificate.

 

What are the Approved CPD Activities? 

 

The CPD activities are viewed as learning opportunities that suit your professional goals, and are verifiable by documentation. Please refer to the current CPD Guidelines for guidance on what may and may not qualify as a CPD activity.

 

How Many CPD Points That Should be Obtained?  

 

Lawyers

In each CPD cycle, lawyers are required to obtain a minimum of 16 CPD points to satisfy the CPD requirement. Once this minimum has been met, up to 5 CPD points earned in excess of the required 16 CPD points may be carried forward to the next CPD cycle.

Scenarios:

• If you obtain 16 CPD points, you will not be eligible to carry forward any CPD points.
• If you obtain 17 CPD points, you may carry forward 1 CPD point.
• If you obtain 21 CPD points, you may carry forward 5 CPD points, which is the maximum permitted.
• If you obtain 22 CPD points or more, you may still carry forward only 5 CPD points.

 

 

Pupils in Chambers

During the 9-month pupillage, pupils in chambers are required to obtain a minimum of 8 CPD points to satisfy the CPD requirement. Once this minimum has been met, up to 5 CPD points earned in excess of the required 8 CPD points may be carried forward to the CPD cycle in which they are admitted as newly called Members of the Malaysian Bar.

Scenarios:

• If you obtain 8 CPD points, you will not be eligible to carry forward any CPD points.
• If you obtain 9 CPD points, you may carry forward 1 CPD point.
• If you obtain 13 CPD points, you may carry forward 5 CPD points, which is the maximum permitted.
• If you obtain 14 CPD points or more, you may still carry forward only 5 CPD points.

 

How to Claim CPD Points?

 

For CPD activities that are organised by Bar Council and State Bar Committees, the organisers will submit the attendance records to us for processing.

 

For CPD activities that are organised by external providers, please email the event details and proof of attendance to [email protected]. We will reach out to the organisers for verification.

 

Your CPD records may take up to four to six working weeks to be updated, as the data collected have to be manually processed and the delay in receiving attendance records from organisers may also affect this timeline. However, the CPD Department aims to expedite this process where possible. If you notice that there is inconsistency in your CPD record, please email to [email protected] and we will be more than happy to assist you.

 

What Should You Do If You Want to Check Your CPD Points?

 

Lawyers

Lawyers can view their CPD points on the Advocates and Solicitors online portal, or download the Malaysian Bar mobile application, which is available on Apple Store (iOS version) and Google Play (Android version).

 

Pupils in Chambers

Pupils in chambers can email to [email protected] to check the CPD points that they have obtained.

 

Note: The CPD points that you have obtained during pupillage will not be reflected on the Advocates and Solicitors online portal and the Malaysian Bar mobile application.

 

What is the Attendance Policy?

 

The attendance policy mandates that the CPD points assigned to a CPD activity will not be awarded if you:

 

• arrive more than 15 minutes late;
• are not present throughout the CPD activity; or
• leave before its scheduled end.

 

Lawyers and pupils in chambers are strongly encouraged to comply with the attendance policy.

 

Exemption

 

You are eligible to apply for exemption from the CPD Scheme if you have fulfilled any of the criteria below:

 

• Aged 75 years old and above with at least 10 years of legal practice
• Suffer from serious health conditions
• Have at least 30 years of legal practice

 

Please download and complete the application form here, and submit it to [email protected].