LAWPRO policy
What’s my coverage when working pro bono?
In Ontario there is a pressing need for legal services that can be accessed by low-income and disadvantaged persons. Many lawyers are stepping up and trying to address this gap through free services, discounted fees, or providing legal education to members of the public. Whenever legal services are being provided to the public, however, it… Read More »
Categories: 2016 September A2J, Access to Justice, Articles, Features, LAWPRO policy, Pro bonoSo you want to start an A2J initiative? Here’s what you need to know about insurance
Lawyers and others in Ontario continue to conceive and champion initiatives aimed at bringing justice into the public’s reach. LawPRO is committed to supporting that innovation, and is eager to participate in the A2J conversation. This article outlines our perspective. Why an insurance perspective? Crucial for many A2J initiatives is finding lawyers who want to… Read More »
Categories: 2016 September A2J, Access to Justice, Articles, Features, LAWPRO policyLawyers: (Safely) make your own dent in the affordability barrier
Removing the barriers that stand between ordinary Ontarians and legal remedies will be a complex, long-term exercise. However, setting aside a few hours to do pro bono work is one way for lawyers to make a meaningful individual contribution to the bigger picture. LawPRO eases the decision to offer uncompensated services by offering lawyers special… Read More »
Categories: 2016 September A2J, Access to Justice, Articles, Errors & Omissions, LAWPRO policy, Pro bonoKnow your coverage limits
Knowing your limits may sound like sobering advice, but for lawyers in private practice, knowing the limits of your insurance coverage can help you manage risk. Limits per claim, and limits in the aggregate There are two general types of limits: per claim (the maximum amount payable for any one claim within a policy year)… Read More »
Categories: 2016 May - Year in Review 2015, Articles, Errors & Omissions, LAWPRO policyFour things that can lead to a denial of coverage under your LAWPRO policy
Insurance is different from other types of contracts. Besides the ongoing obligations (as described in the policy’s terms and conditions) that exist between the insurer and insured, there is also a duty of utmost good faith (uberrimae fidei, for you Latin fans). Just as an insurance carrier can’t act in bad faith in denying a… Read More »
Categories: 2016 January Indigenous, Articles, Errors & Omissions, LAWPRO policyTaking parental leave? You have options
[This article was updated in August 2021] Planning for parental leave might seem overwhelming when you are thinking about leaving your practice for an extended period, particularly if you’ve never taken leave before. You may have questions about the process of taking time off and how this will impact your professional liability insurance. Do I… Read More »
Categories: 2015 September Blue Sky, Articles, Errors & Omissions, LAWPRO policy, Legal CareersREPCO reduction reflects commitment to risk-rating
Real estate and civil litigation continue to be the areas of practice with the highest claims, both in terms of count and cost. However, real estate claims based on the registration of fraudulent instruments under the Land Titles Act where the claim would otherwise be excluded from coverage due to the dishonesty of the insured… Read More »
Categories: 2015 September - Insurance Issue 2016, Articles, Errors & Omissions, LAWPRO policy, Real EstateGet proof of coverage with a click of your mouse
Have you been asked to provide a Certificate of Insurance to a client, a law society, or anyone else? You can now request and print an individual or a firm-wide Certificate of Insurance via the My LAWPRO online portal. While in many cases the Declarations Page of your insurance coverage confirmation will suffice as proof… Read More »
Categories: 2015 September - Insurance Issue 2016, Articles, Errors & Omissions, LAWPRO policyFive ways to boost your chances of a successful repair
What’s a repair? In some cases, LAWPRO counsel can help an insured lawyer head off a lawsuit by “repairing” an error (e.g., by assisting with a motion to reinstate a dismissed action to the trial list) or take steps that substantially reduce the losses that an error might lead to. While not all errors are… Read More »
Categories: 2015 May - Review of 2014, Articles, LAWPRO policy, Year in ReviewIncreased run-off insurance: A critical issue often overlooked in lawyers’ estate planning
When a lawyer passes away while still in active private practice, LAWPRO’s run-off coverage kicks in. While standard run-off may be enough coverage for lawyers who have been retired for several years (since potential claims will have had time to develop), it may not be sufficient for a lawyer who was practising full-time at the… Read More »
Categories: Articles, Content Type, Firm Management, LAWPRO policy, Succession Planning