Reporting a claim

The Compulsory Professional Liability Indemnification Policy requires you to report to the Lawyers Indemnity Fund in writing immediately if you become aware of an error or any circumstances that could reasonably be expected to be the basis of a claim, however unmeritorious (Condition 4.1 of the Policy).

The information that you provide to us in reporting a claim or potential claim is kept in confidence and will not be disclosed except in accordance with the terms of the Policy. It will not be disclosed to the Conduct or Discipline Departments of the Law Society unless it contains evidence of dishonest appropriation, fraud or criminal activity.

The information will be used to open a file and, more significantly, will allow us to give legal advice to you and the indemnitor and defend any covered claim or potential claim.

You are not required to report a claim or potential claim to any other department of the Law Society unless otherwise indicated by the Law Society Rules 2015.

All claims or potential claims must be reported in writing — telephone notice is not sufficient and will not trigger coverage under your policy. Please send your written report to:

Lawyers Indemnity Fund
5th Floor, 845 Cambie Street
Vancouver BC  V6B 4Z9
Attention: Director of Claims

or

Fax: 604.682.5842

or

Email: LIFclaims@lif.ca

Report all incidents immediately to Coalition, Inc.

THE COVERAGE IS PROVIDED ON A "CLAIMS-MADE" AND REPORTED BASIS, AND APPLIES ONLY TO CLAIMS THAT ARE BOTH FIRST MADE AGAINST A FIRM AND REPORTED DURING THE POLICY PERIOD. PLEASE READ THE POLICY CAREFULLY.

An incident can be reported by telephone, on-line chat, or email:

Email: claims@coalitioninc.ca

On-line chat: Coalition – Cyber Risk, Solved.

Toll-free phone: 1.833.866.1337

For more information, read about Cyber claims in Your Cyber Coverage.

Your report should contain the fullest information available. Be sure to include:

1. the name of any LIF claims counsel you have spoken to about this matter;
2. the name of the lawyer(s) responsible for the potential or alleged error;
3. the name of the claimant(s);
4. the first date the potential or alleged error was discovered by anyone in your firm;
5. the date the potential or alleged error occurred;
6. the name of the firm, or association of lawyers, with which the responsible lawyer was practising when the potential or alleged error occurred;
7. whether the potential or alleged error relates to a paralegal giving legal advice or representing clients before a court or tribunal;
8. whether this matter is or has been the subject of a complaint to the Law Society’s Professional Conduct Department;
9. a chronological description of the circumstances giving rise to the claim or potential claim;
10. your objective response to the claim or problem, including any defences which may apply or any suggestions you may have for repair or mitigation of a potential error or loss;
11. an estimate of the amount of the potential damages, assuming liability;
12. any other concern or matter you wish to bring to our attention; and
13. all relevant documents.

Do not admit liability of any kind to your client or indicate to your client that the BC Lawyers Indemnity Association or LIF will 'take care of everything'.

If a Notice of Civil Claim or other such document requiring immediate attention has been served upon you, it is your duty to protect yourself and firm from default proceedings.