PROFESSIONAL EXCELLENCE THROUGH COMPETENCY DEVELOPMENT

Abstract

The legal and other professional services market is an important part of the Canadian economy. For the regulatory authorities that oversee the practice of many professions, competency development constitutes a lever to ensure the quality of services and public protection. This article questions the traditional approach to continuing professional development, based on a minimum number of hours or training, and suggests new ways for regulatory authorities to implement and foster a reflective approach to competency development. Using a comparative perspective, the authors identify major trends that influence the regulatory framework of continuing professional development in the legal profession and build on adult learning principles to suggest new paths to a learning culture among lawyers. Finally, the authors showcase local initiatives, put forward by Canadian law societies, in an effort to bring a meaning to this regulated process of lifelong learning.