CLC unveils mandatory ongoing competence framework for lawyers and practices
The Council for Licensed Conveyancers (CLC) has introduced a new Ongoing Competence Code requiring regulated lawyers and practices to complete structured annual learning and reporting obligations from November 2026. The new code, published on 11 May 2026, will apply alongside the regulator’s existing Code of Conduct and is intended to strengthen standards of competence across the sector.
According to the CLC, the framework is designed to safeguard consumers by ensuring lawyers and practices maintain appropriate professional knowledge, skills, and compliance standards while delivering legal services. Under the new regime, individual CLC-regulated lawyers must complete at least eight ongoing competence activities each year, including a minimum of four assessed activities.
Lawyers will also be required to submit an annual Ongoing Competence Return, known as an OCR, by 31 October each year. The regulator stated that there is no minimum duration for individual activities. Instead, lawyers are expected to undertake learning tailored to their professional responsibilities and development needs.
The CLC explained that assessed activities may include tests completed after training sessions, written feedback from qualified colleagues or other forms of verified learning. The regulator said the requirement is intended to support reflective learning rather than formal requalification or revalidation processes. The new framework also places additional responsibilities on regulated practices.
Firms will be expected to adopt a structured approach to competence management through key compliance personnel, including registered managers, Heads of Legal Practice (HoLPs), Heads of Finance and Administration (HoFAs) and Money Laundering Reporting Officers (MLROs).
Unlike the individual requirements for lawyers, the CLC is not imposing a minimum number of competence activities on practices. Instead, firms will be required to identify and record learning activities relevant to their operational risks and compliance responsibilities.
Practices must nominate a Reporting Officer responsible for ensuring competence activity is recorded and reported through a new Risk and Ongoing Competence Return, known as a ROCR. The CLC said both the OCR and ROCR will include “Impact Statements”, requiring lawyers and firms to reflect on how learning activities support professional development, improve services, and benefit clients.
To assist with planning, the regulator has also published a topics list that will operate alongside its annual Risk Agenda, usually issued in June. The CLC stated that mandatory annual topics may also be introduced where appropriate and would be communicated before the start of each reporting cycle.
The regulator said the first implementation year would focus on supporting firms and improving reporting quality rather than punitive enforcement, although practices will still be expected to comply with the reporting requirements from the outset. The first reporting cycle will run from 1 November 2026 to 31 October 2027, with submissions due by 31 October 2027.