Malpractice Errors
Common practice pitfalls: And how to avoid them
Lawyers’ Professional Indemnity Company (LAWPRO) was created to insure lawyers against legal malpractice claims. Most claims are brought by a lawyer’s own client and include an allegation that the lawyer made a mistake or did not meet the standard of care expected of him or her when delivering legal services. Our records suggest that almost… Read More »
Categories: Articles, Communications Errors, Inadequate Investigation, New Lawyer Issue, Student, Time ManagementWire Fraud Scams on the Rise: 5 Tips to Reduce Your Risk
LAWPRO is seeing an increase in phishing attacks against lawyers trying to trick them into wiring funds out of their trust accounts to the fraudster. There are different ways that fraudsters are trying to direct lawyers and law firms to wire money to them. Fraudsters have pretended to be: A lawyer in the firm, to… Read More »
Categories: Articles, Cyber dangers, Fraud, New Lawyer IssueSurvival Tips to Prevent Fraud
Drawing on actual frauds and close calls, this program will review the most recent fraud efforts targeting lawyers, law firms and their clients, and provide practical tips to help you manage these risks.
Categories: CPD, Cyber dangers, FraudThe Top 10 Changes to the Planning Act You Need to Know About and Why
The anachronistic provisions of the Ontario Planning Act (the “Act”) and the red tape they created have frustrated lawyers and property owners for many years. The government has listened, and after consultations with many stakeholders over the last two years, long overdue changes are finally here. We believe these changes will save the public time… Read More »
Categories: 2022 June - After Covid 19, Articles, Failure to Know The Law, Real EstateRecent changes to wills, powers of attorney and succession law
The government has enacted 4 important changes regarding wills, powers of attorney (POAs) and to the administration of an estate with Bill 245 – Accelerating Access to Justice Act, 2021 which received Royal Assent on April 19, 2021. (See amendments in Schedule 8 – Substitute Decisions Act, 1992 and Schedule 9 – Succession Law Reform… Read More »
Categories: 2022 June - After Covid 19, Articles, Failure to Know The Law, Wills & EstatesYou transferred funds to the wrong account – what now?
Fraudsters try to trick lawyers into wiring funds to an account that the fraudster controls. Sometimes, they succeed, and the funds get into the hands of criminals. What do you do then? Below are some examples that have been reported to us: 1. A lawyer’s office received a last-minute redirection of monies payable on the… Read More »
Categories: 2022 June - After Covid 19, Articles, Could This Happen to You?, Cyber dangers, Disaster Planning, Fraud, Legal TechnologyCottages and Rural Properties: Avoid Common Errors that Lead to Title Insurance Claims
Cottages are a Canadian summertime staple. For many, cottage life has become tradition and cottage ownership is a dream come true. Conversely, cottage and rural residential properties generally present the real estate lawyer with some of the most challenging and complex issues of any area of real estate law, and may surprise lawyers who are… Read More »
Categories: Inadequate Investigation, Online Only, Real EstateDelegation checklist
Delegation is an important part of practice. Use this checklist as a guideline to ensure you are delegating effectively or, if you are receiving delegated work, you are clear on the objectives. Use it, and share it with colleagues and staff. With thanks to Andrew Bernstein for sharing some great tips and checklist which were… Read More »
Categories: Checklist, Clerical / DelegationWatch for real estate frauds involving private mortgages
In a hot real estate market fraudsters are even more motivated than usual – there is a lot of money to be had and lawyers are common targets. LAWPRO is seeing a significant increase in the number of real estate frauds involving private mortgages. The Toronto Police Service recently issued a news release about ongoing… Read More »
Categories: Fraud, Online Only, Real EstateAvoiding the wire fraud nightmare – what you need to know to protect yourself and your clients
Finding out that money you sent out of trust has gone missing is a lawyer’s worst nightmare. Unfortunately, we are seeing a rise in wire fraud efforts targeting law firms and their clients. Fraudsters have developed several ways to convince lawyers and law clerks to wire funds out of law firm trust accounts to fraudsters’… Read More »
Categories: CPD, Cyber dangers, Fraud, Legal Technology