Advice, support and resources to help our insured practitioners manage the risks of practice.
Your policy requires that you give LPLC immediate notice of any claim first made against you during the policy period, or any circumstance which might give rise to a claim of which you become aware during the policy period. We encourage early notification as this enables us to take action, or provide advice and guidance, so as to minimise any loss or damage that might occur.
Firms that implement a Cybersecurity Incident Response Plan are better positioned to mitigate the effects of a cyber-attack and fulfill their responsibility to protect their clients, their practice, and their reputation.
This article covers what such a plan entails, why they're necessary, and some steps towards developing an effective one for your firm.
In historic institutional child abuse claims, we are continuing to see requests by some defendants for plaintiff’s solicitors to provide an independent solicitor certificate on settlement of the plaintiff’s claim.
The certificates typically contain statements to the effect that the solicitor acting for the plaintiff has explained to the plaintiff the purport and effect of the settlement deed, the plaintiff appeared to have understood that advice, and that the deed was signed voluntarily.
In this LPLC article we explain why providing certificates in these cases is risky, and recommend that practitioners decline any requests made to do them.
Law firms handle a vast amount of sensitive client information, making them prime targets for cyber-attacks.
An effective control in managing this risk is the deidentification or deletion of data once it is no longer required.
Our September LIJ article outlines what practitioners should do to maintain best practice when deleting and retaining electronic files, and provides some tips on proactive risk management.
There are many reasons why a lawyer should decide to end a retainer. Knowing when to part ways with a client and how to do it, is an important part of your risk management toolkit.
Our article covers some of a lawyer's ethical duties and practical steps to consider when ending a retainer, and provides some risk management tips to help navigate these matters.
LPLC is seeing instances where unintentional terms contracts are being created and signed without the vendor’s solicitor being consulted.
When acting for the vendor, practitioners should always check the contract for any amendments made to the standard form document, and if a terms contract has been created, advise clients on the implications and risks.
Our article addresses the risks associated with contracts that are completed and executed by the agent and/or parties without the further involvement of the vendor’s solicitor.
Legal practitioners are obliged to provide clear advice to clients in terms that can be understood. Clear and effective communication can sometimes be difficult when there are language barriers.
A failure to take reasonable steps to ensure legal advice is interpreted into the client’s first language can amount to a breach of a practitioner’s duty of care.
Our August LIJ article outlines some issues and risks for practitioners to be mindful of when acting for clients who do not speak English as a first language and provides some tips to safely navigate the use of interpreters and translators.
The Victorian Government has introduced the State Tax Amendment Bill 2024 which, amongst other taxation changes, will (if passed) broaden the holiday home exemption to allow shareholders of companies, as well as certain beneficiaries of trusts and relatives of those shareholders and beneficiaries, to satisfy the exemption for a property owned by a company or trust.
The State Taxation Acts and Other Acts Amendment Act 2023 received Royal Assent on 12 December 2023. The new law introduces significant property tax changes in Victoria with effect from 1 January 2024.
Keeping your firm’s software up to date is vital to the security of your practice and the interests of your clients.
LPLC runs a yearly calendar of risk management seminars and workshops for our insured firms and practitioners. We cover a variety of topics relating to the underlying causes of claims.
A podcast series that explores how to minimise and manage risk through buiding good business culture and approaches. In each episode listen as Heather Hibberd, LPLC's Chief Risk Manager, and an expert guest in conversation share stories and provide insights to help you build YOUR successful legal practice.
A 90-minute workshop for practitioners to review legal practice management fundamentals. It is suitable for practitioners setting up a new firm, recently established firms or principals who want a practice management refresher.
Watch and download session slides.
Topics include:
Solicitor's certifcates | Supervision | Conveyancing | Maximising Office 365 | The Engagement Habit