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Civil Litigation

Common Limitation Period Pitfalls and How to Avoid Them

hour glass

It is one of a lawyer’s worst nightmares:  missing a limitation period.  It can be a very easy mistake to make and yet the consequences can be enormous. There are numerous “pitfalls” that can lead to missed limitation periods and other limitation period problems.  Some of these pitfalls are relatively easy to avoid whereas others… Read More »

Categories: Civil Litigation, Limitation Periods, Online Only, Time Management

Review Your Files – The Ultimate Limitation Period is Arriving Soon

JANUARY Calendar

It’s here – a 15-year ultimate limitation period for claims governed by the Limitations Act 2002. As of January 3, 2019¹, actions arising from acts or omissions that occurred prior to January 1, 2004, are statute barred by virtue of s. 15 of the Limitations Act, 2002, even if these errors were not discoverable before… Read More »

Categories: Civil Litigation, Limitation Periods, Webzine

In Defence of Our Insureds in 2017

knight

LAWPRO defends actions against lawyers and licensed paralegals practising in every area of the law. In our February issue, we highlighted 2017 civil litigation claims. Family law A plaintiff hired a lawyer to handle certain financial matters, including the drafting of a prenuptial agreement, in preparation for her upcoming marriage. It eventually came to light… Read More »

Categories: 2018 May Year in Review 2017, Areas of Law, Articles, Casebook, Civil Litigation, Content Type, Corporate Law, Family, LAWPRO Magazine, LAWPRO Magazine Article Type, Real Estate, Tax, Year in Review

After the event (ATE) insurance: what you need to know

After the event (ATE) insurance (a type of legal expense insurance) can help lessen the financial blow of a lost case for both the client and lawyer. Generally, the insurer will pay some amount of costs, fees, and/or disbursements if the client is unsuccessful. It is important to understand the specific policies and contracts involved… Read More »

Categories: Areas of Law, Civil Litigation, Communications Errors, Conflicts of Interest, Malpractice Errors, Topics

Civil litigation claims: What we saw in 2017

filing cabinet of claims

Claims against litigators are the largest area-of-law subset in LAWPRO’s claims portfolio. The rate of increase in claims in this area outstrips all others, and is an increasing source of concern.In the past two years, we have focused on the claims impact of the changes to Rule 48 of the Rules of Civil Procedure. Judgments… Read More »

Categories: 2018 February Top Legal Disruptions, Admin dismissals/Rule 48, Areas of Law, Articles, Casebook, Civil Litigation, Content Type, LAWPRO Magazine, LAWPRO Magazine Article Type, Limitation Periods, Malpractice Errors, Time Management, Topics

Civil litigation levies evolve to reflect risks

graph going up

No lawyer in private practice is immune to professional indemnity claims. However, over 20 years’ experience insuring the Ontario bar has made it clear to LAWPRO analysts that claims risk varies with area of practice. Lawyers who practise real estate or civil litigation face a significantly higher risk of claims than those who practise in… Read More »

Categories: 2017 September - Insurance Issue 2018, Articles, Civil Litigation, Content Type, Errors & Omissions

Litigation claims on the rise

marker drawing a line

In recent years, the growth in civil litigation claims has outstripped the overall growth in claims. For example, from 2006 through 2010 LAWPRO received an average of 708 civil litigation claims each year, and during 2011 through 2015, the average increased to 948 each year. This growth of 34 per cent vastly exceeds the 7… Read More »

Categories: 2017 August Managing Change, Admin dismissals/Rule 48, Areas of Law, Articles, Civil Litigation, Communications Errors, Content Type, Dabbling, Features, Inadequate Investigation, LAWPRO Magazine, LAWPRO Magazine Article Type, Limitation Periods, Time Management

Retainers and Non-engagement letters

Model retainers and agreements are provided by LAWPRO for your consideration and use when you draft your own documents. They are not meant to be used “as is”. Their suitability will depend upon a number of factors, such as the current state of the law and practice in each area of law, your writing style,… Read More »

Categories: Civil Litigation, Precedents

Litigation Malpractice Claims Fact Sheet

judge gavel

Litigation claims, always near the top of the LAWPRO claims count (alternating some years with real estate), saw an increase after 2009 due to Rule 48 administrative dismissals. New amendments to Rule 48.14 as of January 2015 should reduce these claims, but there are still risks that the new processes, deadlines and transition provisions will… Read More »

Categories: Civil Litigation, Factsheets

Land Acknowledgement

The offices of LAWPRO are located on the traditional territory of many nations including the Mississaugas of the Credit, Anishnabeg, Chippewa, Haudenosaunee and Wendat peoples. Toronto is covered by Treaty 13 with the Mississaugas of the Credit. LAWPRO respects and acknowledges the histories, languages, knowledge systems, and cultures of First Nations, Metis, and Inuit nations.

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