BSA COVID-19 CPD Update

Dear BSA members,

We hope that this email finds you well and we would like to thank you for your continued support during these unprecedented times.

The COVID-19 pandemic is having major effects on how we now work. On 8th April 2020 the Council of the Law Society disapplied the rules regarding compulsory CPD group study training until further notice. Similarly, due to the impact of the COVID-19 outbreak and in light of the Government’s latest advice regarding non-essential contact, the BSA has decided to suspend the current CPD programme which was due to run until December 2020. In order to provide assistance and value to our members, we have agreed that membership and CPD Season Ticket subscriptions will be rolled over into next year when we will once again provide a first-class programme of events and training. Existing members will receive confirmation of membership status for 2021 and new Season Tickets will be issued to all current Season Ticket holders without any additional cost to you.

The BSA are currently looking into how to best provide CPD going forward in keeping with Law Society regulations and to ensure the health and safety of our members, staff and sponsors. The current situation is changing daily and will continue to keep the matter under review.

In relation to the social events and charitable fundraising for our nominated charity, Action Cancer, we were disappointed that these had to be cancelled due to the pandemic, especially after the year had got off to a good start by raising over £1000.00 at our charity quiz night in March. Our Gala Ball, Golf Day, Football Competition and other events would doubtless have raised a further significant sum for this very worthy cause. In the circumstances, we have decided to reschedule all of our events in 2021 retaining Action Cancer as our nominated charity. We intend to redouble our fundraising efforts for next year and provide a much needed boost to Action Cancer.

Finally, we are acutely aware of the impact COVID-19 is having on our members and we will continue to provide support to our members remotely where possible.

We would like to thank you for your continued support and urge you all to stay safe while we come through this together.

Yours sincerely,

Ciaran Maguire, BSA Chairman