In the face of challenging times, we must be adaptable. In direct response to concerns from students and the legal profession related to the unprecedented global COVID-19 pandemic, the decision has been made to change the admission requirements for the Practice Readiness Education Program (PREP) for the 2020/2021 year.

Admission requirements
Students with a Canadian common law degree or Certificate of Qualification from the Federation of Law Societies of Canada may register and complete PREP without secured articles for the June and December 2020 intakes.

“We are committed to supporting students throughout their PREP studies and helping to better prepare them for work at their firm,” says Dr. Kara Mitchelmore, CEO of CPLED.

This change provides students with an opportunity to complete their Bar admission program without delay. As well, it allows students to develop the necessary competencies and practice lawyer skills within PREP which they can apply immediately when they begin their articles. This change also offers greater flexibility for firms regarding start dates for their articling students.

Tuition fees
Students without secured articles will be responsible for the entire program cost of $6,100, payable to CPLED. Once students secure articles and register as a student member with a CPLED participating law society they will be eligible for their law society’s subsidy. The law society subsidy will be refunded to students from their law society directly. For more information on PREP tuition fees and the installment payment plan option, visit program cost.

Registration
Those registering for PREP without secured articles must register by June 26, 2020, at www.cpled.ca. Students will register for phase one, Foundation Modules only at this time. Registration for phases two to four will be released in the coming weeks.

PREP admission requirements will be reviewed in 2020
The interim admission changes in effect for this PREP year will be reviewed throughout 2020, as CPLED participating law societies proactively respond to the economic and logistical impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic to students and the legal profession.

Background information:

The Canadian Centre for Professional Legal Education (CPLED) is a non-profit organization that provides the training needed before being called to the Bars of Alberta, Manitoba, Nova Scotia and Saskatchewan. Law Societies in the participating provinces require students to complete articles and PREP before becoming a lawyer.