Law Mutual News 

Welcome to the latest update from Law Mutual (WA). 

In this newsletter you will also find relevant articles Practice and Matter Management Dealing with Difficult Clients and Handling Complaints, an introduction to staff member Jessie Ridgewell as well as details about our upcoming risk management seminars.

Risk Management Discount

As part of the 2017/2018 insurance application process, Law Mutual (WA) introduced the Risk Management Discount. Practices were able to claim 5% discount on the Annual Contribution, subject to specific qualification requirements.

106 firms received the discount and enjoyed discounts ranging from $275 to many thousands of dollars.

To qualify for a Risk Management Discount on their 2018/2018 Annual Contribution, practices must ensure that:

1. All of the Partners or Practitioner Directors and at least 80% of the employed Practitioners of the Law Practice have attended at least two (2) hours of Law Mutual (WA) approved risk management training during the period 1st March 2017 to 28th February 2018.
2. The Practice declares in its Application for Insurance that it has met the training requirements above and is entitled to the Risk Management Discount.
3. The Practice is able to produce, within 7 days of a written request by Law Mutual (WA), documentary proof that it has met the training requirements, such as certificates of the attendance of Practitioners at approved training.

The Practice must agree that if such documentary proof is not produced to the satisfaction of Law Mutual (WA), the Practice will immediately repay to Law Mutual (WA) the equivalent of the Risk Management Discount it received together with the GST payable thereon. Further, the Practice will not again be entitled to a Risk Management Discount until it has completed two consecutive years of training requirements.

Further information regarding the various options available for approved risk management training can be found on the Law Mutual (WA) website and in the Risk Management Seminar Programme 2017/2018.

Practice and Matter Management Guidelines

The Guidelines address the need for these and other activities in a structured way. 
 
The Guidelines provide details of potential processes or activities to meet each of the requirements; however, the ‘appropriate activity’ will vary from practice to practice.

Law Mutual (WA) encourages practices to follow the Guidelines. Meeting the requirements is evidence of your commitment to good professional liability risk management and will also result in:

• Comprehensive service delivery for the client
• High level of client satisfaction
• Lower likelihood of complaints and/or claims.

The Guidelines can be downloaded from the Law Mutual (WA) website.

Practitioners are encouraged to attend the Introduction to Practice and Matter Management seminar as part of the 2017/2018 Risk Management Seminar Programme to obtain further information and insight into the content of the Guidelines and how to meet the requirements in their practice.

Dealing with Difficult Clients and Handling Complaints

Get to know your Law Mutual (WA)

Jessie Ridgewell, Claims Administration Officer

Arriving in Australia at 17, Jessie has worked in legal all her life and recently became an Australian citizen. For the past 9 ½ years Jessie has worked for the Manager, Claims at Law Mutual (WA). Her hobbies include showing dogs and currently has four Pointers. Her other passion is motor sport. Her husband and son both race Formula Fords at Barbagello Raceway and she also has a CAMS Licence to assist with events. She has an MGB 1957 Magnette ZB four door saloon taking pride of place. Living in the Swan Valley she also likes to visit a winery now and again

Upcoming risk management seminars

New Practitioner Risk 101

Tuesday, 26 September | 4.00pm - 5.00pm | Level 5, 160 St Georges Terrace, Perth

Does your firm have any newly-admitted practitioners? To equip new practitioners with vital risk management skills, this targeted seminar provides an overview of the professional liability claims history in Western Australia, discusses the underlying causes of claims, and provides a breakdown of key risks and the strategies for minimising them. »Register now

Contact Law Mutual (WA)

Street Address: Level 4, 160 St Georges Terrace, Perth WA 6000
Postal Address: PO Box Z5345, Perth WA 6831
Telephone:  (08) 9481 3111   |   Facsimile:  (08) 9481 3166
Email: info@lawmutualwa.com.au   |   Website: www.lawmutualwa.com.au