Section 9B: Continuing Professional Development

9B. Continuing Professional Development (1) The Institute shall devise, organise and conduct Continuing Professional Development Programmes for each of the 3 branches of the legal [Issue 4] L8 – 8 Revised Laws of Mauritius profession with a view to broadening the knowledge of law practitioners and legal officers, keeping them abreast of developments in the law, encouraging them to share experiences and enhancing their professional skills. (2) A Programme referred to in subsection (1) may include attendance at such lectures, workshops or seminars, as may be approved by the Institute. (3) Every law practitioner and legal officer shall, in every year, participate in a Continuing Professional Development Programme for the prescribed number of hours unless he is excused by the Chief Justice for reasons such as age or ill health. (4) Notwithstanding section 13, where a person referred to in subsection (3) fails, without reasonable excuse, to follow a Continuing Professional Development Programme, the Institute may— (a) in the case of a legal officer, report the matter to the Judicial and Legal Service Commission; and (b) in the case of a law practitioner, refer the matter to the Chief Justice who may— (i) issue a written warning to him; or (ii) suspend his right to practise for a period not exceeding one year. [S. 9B inserted by s. 9 of Act 30 of 2011 w.e.f. 3 September 2012.]