I may be taking a leave of absence from my practice. Do I have to continue to purchase insurance coverage?

I may be taking a leave of absence from my practice. Do I have to continue to purchase insurance coverage?

If you are planning a temporary leave from practice, you may wish to CLAIM exemption under the program. If you meet the Rules of Eligibility for exemption (c) (available to LAWYERS on a temporary leave of absence), you may complete an Application for Exemption form and submit to LAWPRO prior to the commencement of your leave of absence. You will be entitled to a return of premium while you are on a leave of absence, subject to a minimum two-month premium and limited to the premium relating to the 30-day period immediately preceding LAWPRO's receipt of your written notice, and any subsequent period thereafter. Regretfully, for those carrying the real estate practice coverage option, we are not able to backdate for this 30-day period.

I am currently a sole practitioner but will be setting up a partnership with another LAWYER (also a sole practitioner). What do I need to do to let LAWPRO know and what effect does that have on my insurance policy?

I am currently a sole practitioner but will be setting up a partnership with another LAWYER (also a sole practitioner). What do I need to do to let LAWPRO know and what effect does that have on my insurance policy?

As a sole practitioner, innocent party coverage is not mandatory. However LAWYERS practising in association, partnership, or in a law partnership are required to have innocent party coverage. Therefore, as a LAWYER now practising in a partnership, you are now required to carry innocent party coverage. In addition, as you will now be practising in a partnership, all LAWYERS are required to choose and qualify for the same insurance coverage options.

I have recently left a large firm to work as a sole practitioner. Does LAWPRO automatically cancel the insurance policy I had with the firm and if yes, how do I reinstate it?

I have recently left a large firm to work as a sole practitioner. Does LAWPRO automatically cancel the insurance policy I had with the firm and if yes, how do I reinstate it?

The professional liability insurance policy belongs to the individual LAWYER, and not the firm. This means that if you leave one firm to join another, your coverage follows you. Written instructions are required to make any changes to your policy coverage options or status.

I was recently appointed to the bench. What happens to my LAWPRO coverage?

I was recently appointed to the bench. What happens to my LAWPRO coverage?

Under the current Law Society program, those appointed to the bench are exempt from purchasing the ongoing insurance coverage under the program, but are provided, free of charge, with $250,000 per CLAIM and aggregate (not reinstated) Run-Off Coverage, subject to a $5,000 per CLAIM deductible. The coverage limits and deductible are applicable to CLAIM expenses, indemnity payments (including pre-judgment interest) as well as costs of repairs. Run-off Coverage does not provide coverage for CLAIMS arising out of professional services you provide while exempt from paying the insurance premium.

We recommend that judges and exempt LAWYERS consider applying for additional Run-Off limit protection beyond this standard Run-Off Coverage. Additional Run-Off Coverage limits of $500,000 per CLAIM/$500,000 in the aggregate, and $1 million per CLAIM/$2 million in the aggregate, are offered under the Law Society's program. For further details, we would refer to the "Insurance Matters for Retired LAWYERS" booklet which provides more detail regarding the Run-Off Coverage available under the Law Society's program, as well as some of the types of questions you may wish to consider in assessing what exposures may arise out of your past practice. If you wish to be provided with a no-obligation estimate, please complete and submit an Application to Increase Run-Off Coverage and we would be pleased to provide you with the estimate.