Follow Up to the Importance of Early Reporting
In follow up to the October 9, 2024 CLIA article “Importance of Early Reporting” by Melanie Hodges Neufeld, we write this note in our capacity as Practice Advisors with the Law Society of Saskatchewan (“LSS”). For a number of decades, the LSS has had the Practice Advisor Program.
Missed Limitation Periods: Claim Examples and Resources
Missed limitation periods continues to be one of the most common claims areas for CLIA Subscriber jurisdictions. Some reasons for missing a limitation period are inadequate office systems, human error and applying the wrong legislation. To help avoid these claims in the future, here are three examples of real claims:
Bite Size CPD Series: Recent Videos
For over three years, the Law Society of Saskatchewan has developed the Bite Size CPD Series. These informative under-10-minute video episodes cover a variety of topics and are available for all to view on the Law Society website. A new episode is released each Thursday.
New Lawyer’s Guide to Avoiding Mistakes: Dear Diary
A lawyer’s diary system can be a critical tool for organization and practice management. While we are encouraged from a very early point in practice, usually during articling, to begin using a diary system to track our work, many young lawyers find themselves unsure of what to track in their diary, why it is so important, and what type of diary system to implement for their practice.
The Value of Practice Advisors in Reducing Claims
Practice advisor programs are administered and strongly supported by many of our subscribing law societies. There is good reason for this. The experienced practitioners providing practice advice or reviews are often the ‘first line of defence’ to mitigate practice issues. As noted by the Law Society of Newfoundland and Labrador:
CLIA Online Loss Prevention Repository – Communications
CLIA has a strong commitment to loss prevention and we take a proactive approach to avoiding claims. CLIA acts as a central hub for our subscribers by offering one-stop-shopping for those who need a quick source of loss prevention resources. Our Loss Prevention Online Repository houses a collection of links to numerous checklists, tips, articles and guides created by our subscribers and partners.
Importance of Early Reporting
We can’t stress enough the importance of early reporting of a claim or potential claim. Your CLIA Policy and Code of Professional Conduct require you to report a claim or potential claim as soon as practicable after learning of a claim or becoming aware of circumstances that might give rise to a claim, however unmeritorious. Failure to report in a timely fashion can jeopardize your coverage. Late reporting also makes the handling and resolution of a claim more difficult.
Bite Size CPD Series: Practice Management Technology Series
For over three years, the Law Society of Saskatchewan has developed the Bite Size CPD Series. These informative under-10-minute video episodes cover a variety of topics and are available for all to view on the Law Society website. A new episode is released each Thursday.
From the Vault: Caution: Friends and Family Ahead
Lawyers often report a potential insurance claim on a matter they have taken on for a friend or relative. These are among the most embarrassing claims for the lawyer and among the most difficult to defend for the insurer.
Post Roundup: Generative AI
CLIA has a strong commitment to loss prevention. We take a proactive approach to avoiding claims and developed a Loss Prevention Strategic Plan to more focus our energies on helping lawyers find the loss prevention resources they need. In case you missed it, here is a collection of Generative AI posts to help you better manage your practice and avoid errors:
Post Roundup: Practice Management
CLIA has a strong commitment to loss prevention. We take a proactive approach to avoiding claims and developed a Loss Prevention Strategic Plan to more focus our energies on helping lawyers find the loss prevention resources they need. In case you missed it, here is a collection of loss prevention posts focused on practice management to help you better manage your practice and avoid errors:
Post Roundup: Client Relations
CLIA has a strong commitment to loss prevention. We take a proactive approach to avoiding claims and developed a Loss Prevention Strategic Plan to more focus our energies on helping lawyers find the loss prevention resources they need. In case you missed it, here is a collection of loss prevention posts focused on client relations to help you better manage your practice and avoid errors:
Post Roundup: Loss Prevention General
CLIA has a strong commitment to loss prevention. We take a proactive approach to avoiding claims and developed a Loss Prevention Strategic Plan to more focus our energies on helping lawyers find the loss prevention resources they need. In case you missed it, here is a collection of loss prevention posts to help you better manage your practice and avoid errors:
Update: Generative AI Guidance
Since our original post in February, both Ontario and Manitoba have developed guidance on generative AI. Below is an update including these new resources.
Think You Might Have a Claim – Report By June 30th!
Lawyers in CLIA jurisdictions are required to report a claim as soon as practicable after learning of a claim or becoming aware of circumstances which might give rise to a claim, however unmeritorious.
From the Vault: CLIA Loss Prevention Bulletin #155: Client Selection
For over ten years, CLIA produced more than 70 articles for our Loss Prevention Bulletin. While discontinued in 2016, the advice shared in some of these articles is timeless and still of value. We’re curating those articles to bring you our ‘From the Vault’ series. The article below is #155 from November, 2003.
Bite Size CPD Series: Artificial Intelligence
A new series focuses on artificial intelligence (AI), including an overview of what it is, its strengths and weaknesses and your duties as a lawyer when using AI. While some episodes focus on the new Law Society Artificial Intelligence Guidelines, useful information is included for all. See also our recent post on Generative AI Guidance for information regarding guidelines in your jurisdiction.
Effective Email Communication
Effective communication with your client is key to avoiding claims. The Lawyer’s Insurance Association of Nova Scotia (LIANS) has compiled several useful communication tips on their website.
The 7 C’s of Effective Communication
Failure to communicate effectively with clients is the common factor in a large percentage of errors and omissions claims. The Lawyer’s Insurance Association of Nova Scotia (LIANS) has compiled several useful communication tips on their website.
From the Vault: CLIA Loss Prevention Bulletin #208: Malpractice Avoidance – Some Friendly Reminders
At the spring 2012 American Bar Association Standing Committee on Lawyers’ Professional Liability National Legal Malpractice Conference, Ronald C. Minkoff, Laura Frankel, Richard A. Simpson and Robert H. Moses presented a session on professional liability claims arising out of a family law practice.