Malpractice Errors
Cottages 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 frauds we are seeing are incredibly sophisticated. In some cases,… Read More »
Categories: Fraud, Online Only, Real EstateAvoiding the wire fraud nightmare – what you need to know to protect yourself and your clients (2021)
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 TechnologyTips for Successfully Building Access to Justice into your Law Practice (2021)
This program was part of Access to Justice Week 2021. Join LAWPRO, The Action Group on Access to Justice (TAG) and Toronto Lawyers Association to explore how legal professionals can structure their practices to better facilitate access to justice. Participants will hear from a panel of legal professionals from across the province and various areas… Read More »
Categories: Access to Justice, Communications Errors, Conflicts of Interest, CPD, Firm ManagementNew 60 Day Notice Requirement in Occupiers’ Liability Act (Injury from Snow or Ice) Overview
Bill 118, An Act to amend the Occupiers’ Liability Act, received royal assent on December 8, 2020 and came into force on January 29, 2021. The amendment introduces a new 60-day notice requirement for claims for personal injury caused by snow or ice which, if not met, will bar actions unless an exception applies. The… Read More »
Categories: Civil Litigation, Limitation Periods, Online OnlyCommunication Tips
The #1 cause of claims in almost every area of practice is communication breakdown. Implement the following actions to help avoid communication problems in your practice.
Categories: Communications Errors, FactsheetsTips for Managing Deadlines
Missed deadlines are a major source of malpractice claims. Lawyers sometimes fail to determine the limitation period on a matter or fail to properly calendar it, miss other deadlines or fail to act when they arise. Here are tips to avoid these claims.
Categories: Factsheets, Time ManagementTips to Avoid Conflict of Interest Claims
A conflict of interest happens when there is a substantial risk that a lawyer’s duties to a client will be compromised by the lawyer’s own interest or the lawyer’s duties to another client, former client, or another third person.
Categories: Conflicts of Interest, FactsheetsHow to deal with limitations periods that were suspended during the pandemic
From calls we have received from insureds, LAWPRO is aware there are questions regarding whether limitation periods and procedural deadlines were suspended during the pandemic. We have had several pandemic-related limitation period claims reported to us. This article provides some direction on how you should deal with limitation periods or procedural deadlines that may have… Read More »
Categories: Civil Litigation, Limitation Periods, Online Only, Time Management