About LAWPRO
Lawyers’ Professional Indemnity Company (LAWPRO) is owned by the Law Society of Upper Canada and is licensed to provide professional liability insurance and title insurance in numerous jurisdictions across Canada. Through its malpractice insurance program, LAWPRO insures over 25,000 practising lawyers in Ontario, as well as providing them with risk and practice management information under the practicePRO banner.
LAWPRO's Posts
Fraud warning from the Law Society of BC regarding fake client payment instructions
The following is from an August 6, 2019 warning from the Law Society of BC. Similar attempts to divert funds have been reported in Ontario as well. Fraudsters continue to target BC lawyers “If you are about to pay out trust funds and your client’s payment instructions change, stop and ensure that the change is… Read More »
Categories: Fraud PreventionThe First Timer’s Going to Court Cheat Sheet
What to wear? Where to stand? Going to court for the first time can be an intimidating experience, but it can become familiar with practice. The level of formality and decorum in a courtroom is a unique part of Canadian life and should be treated seriously. Unlike what you may have seen on shows and… Read More »
Categories: Practice AidsAttention Real Estate Lawyers: Standard Closing Documents
The Working Group on Lawyers and Real Estate has released updated Ontario-wide Standard Closing Documents (OSCD). Of particular note, is the addition of a new document – a Section 116 Income Tax Act Undertaking (Undertaking (Non-Residency)). Closing a transaction with a non-resident vendor can be challenging if the vendor has not secured a Section 116… Read More »
Categories: Real EstateNew corporate registration requirements
As of June of 2019, federal private corporations will be required to maintain a registry of “Individuals with Significant Control” (ISC) in addition to an annual obligation to take reasonable steps to ensure their register is complete and up-to-date. Corporations will have an obligation to update their registry within 15 days of becoming aware of… Read More »
Categories: Corporate LawLaw Society of Alberta fraud warning about “GSKS Law Firm”
The Law Society of Alberta has received a report about a business, “GSKS Law Firm”, purporting to be a law firm. The business operates a website at http://gskslaw.com. The individuals associated with the business are falsely holding themselves out as members of the Law Society of Alberta and are reaching out to individuals to offer… Read More »
Categories: Fraud PreventionLand Registrar’s Bulletin re: NEW process for pre-approvals, PIN corrections & overrides
Bulletin 2018-04 states that effective December 10, 2018, pre-approvals, PIN corrections and overrides are no longer to be requested via [email protected], but rather in the OnLand portal at OnLand.ca. Users must go to the OnLand portal at https://www.onland.ca where they will find “request forms” under the “support” and then “contact us” drop down menu. They… Read More »
Categories: Real Estate, Areas of LawThe new Fraud Fact Sheet for Real Estate
Fraudsters are continuing to successfully dupe lawyers and law clerks using ID impersonations, property flips, value fraud, phishing scams, and more. Real estate frauds can be simple scenarios or sophisticated ones. The matters look legitimate and the fraudsters are convincing. There may even be two or more people collaborating on both sides of a transaction… Read More »
Categories: Real Estate, Fraud PreventionNew and exciting opportunities – and claims risks: Marijuana law
As recreational marijuana makes its way onto Ontario store shelves, lawyers are gearing up for the new market. From producers to retailers, and everything in between – retail stores, physicians, banks, transportation companies, accountants, you name it – clients will come from all segments of industry. Here we take a look at some of the… Read More »
Categories: Uncategorized, Communication Errors, Risk Management Strategies, Law Practice Management, Risk Management & Claims Prevention