Risk Management & Claims Prevention
More examples of cyber criminals taking advantage of Covid-19 disruption
Cyber criminals are constantly updating their methods to take advantage of current events, and the disruption caused by Covid 19 and many people now working remotely has provided them with a new opportunities, as explained in Beware of cybersecurity risks during COVID-19 and working from home. This CBC News article Email, text message attacks surge… Read More »
Categories: Fraud PreventionRemote communication and fraud risks in real estate
In the context of COVID-19, lawyers are often unable to meet in person with their clients. The Law Society of Ontario has temporarily authorized remote verification of client identity and permitted remote commissioning of documents. This information can be found in this FAQ. Remote meetings and remote signing introduce additional fraud risks. Lawyers need to… Read More »
Categories: Real Estate, Fraud PreventionProvince Suspends Limitation Periods and Other Deadlines
The provincial government, through the Lieutenant Governor in Council, made an order under s. 7.1 of the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act suspending limitation periods and procedural time periods. The suspension is retroactive to March 16, 2020. See the attached PDF.
Categories: Limitations ClaimsBeware of cybersecurity risks during COVID-19 and working from home
This post is adapted from a message from Gowling WLG to their lawyers and staff written by Steve Lundy, which they have graciously offered to share with AvoidaClaim readers. As professionals and staff adopt the recently implemented remote working arrangement to reduce the risk associated with COVID-19, it is important to understand that this increases… Read More »
Categories: Fraud PreventionNew variation of the bad cheque fraud: Dog bite cases
[First posted May 2019. Updated January 2020] Several lawyers have notified us of a new variation on the old bad cheque debt collection scam. This scenario involves a dog bite, and the promise of an insurer to pay a settlement for medical expenses. It even comes with gruesome dog bite photos that were apparently taken… Read More »
Categories: Fraud PreventionDownload our updated Limitations Period Resources
Missing a limitation period is a lawyer’s nightmare. Although most claims are subject to the 2 year limitation period set out in the Limitations Act, 2002, there are over 40 statutes that impose limitation periods in Ontario. LAWPRO has developed several resources to help lawyers navigate Ontario’s limitations periods and notice periods. The Limitations and… Read More »
Categories: Civil Litigation, Limitations ClaimsFraud for Shelter Update
With housing prices on the rise, more rigorous mortgage rules, and the resulting difficulty for some Ontarians to purchase property, real estate lawyers should be mindful of fraud for shelter. Fraud for shelter differs from traditional real estate frauds. Usually in a real estate fraud, the goal is to fraudulently sell the property or to… Read More »
Categories: Real Estate, Fraud PreventionWills: Why you should send clients detailed reporting letters
While the will itself is the product of the collaboration between lawyer and client, the reporting letter serves a separate purpose: it’s the record of the context. To the extent that the reporting letter documents the process of crafting the will, it can bolster validity, shield the lawyer from malpractice allegation and demonstrate the value… Read More »
Categories: Communication Errors, Wills & Estates, Areas of Law, Risk Management & Claims Prevention