Malpractice Errors
The confidence client: Survival tips to prevent fraud
In the nineteenth century, American journalists and law enforcement coined the term “confidence artist” to describe a form of fraud that preys on the trust and credulity of its target. The form these frauds took was always changing but relied on the good faith of the target and either a promise of profit or a… Read More »
Categories: 2024 March, Articles, Cyber dangers, FraudOne click and you are out $1 million
Could it happen to you? If you have a trust account, then you’re at risk. We are seeing a sharp increase in social engineering fraud against law firms and their clients, where the goal is to divert funds to fraudsters’ accounts. When money gets diverted, the lawyer and/or the client is out of funds. For… Read More »
Categories: 2024 March, Articles, Cyber dangers, FraudProtecting your firm against fraud (2023)
Fraud targeting lawyers continues to be a serious concern for the profession. This program will provide up-to-date information on actual fraud attempts, the types of fraud claims LAWPRO counsel are seeing right now, and how best to avoid these scams. As well, legal and law enforcement experts will provide tips and advice for protecting your… Read More »
Categories: CPD, Cyber dangers, FraudReminder: 60 Day Notice Requirement Under the Occupiers’ Liability Act
With much of Ontario recovering from significant snowfalls and ice storms over the holiday season, it is a good time to remind the personal injury bar of their clients’ obligations under the Occupiers’ Liability Act to provide notice within 60 days of an incident alleging injury caused by ice or snow. It has been nearly… Read More »
Categories: Civil Litigation, Limitation PeriodsCommon 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 (2022)
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 Technology