Law Mutual News 

Risk Management Discount

The application forms for the Professional Indemnity Insurance arrangements for the upcoming 2018/2019 insurance year were required to be submitted by Friday, 31 March 2018.

(Please note that payment of the invoice for the Annual Contribution and Administration Levy must be made by no later than Tuesday, 15 May 2018).

A significant number of practices were able to claim a 5% Risk Management Discount on the Annual Contribution.

To qualify for a Risk Management Discount on the 2019/2020 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 2018 to 28th February 2019.
    
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.

Practice Risk Management Tips

We suggest that managers of Law Practices consider whether or not there is a need to obtain PI top up insurance. This is not offered by Law Mutual (WA); we suggest you contact your insurance advisor.

Managers might also like to consider joining the Law Society of WA’s Professional Standards Scheme which may enable the Law Practice to limit its liability in the event of a claim. If you are interested, please contact Marion Pearson at mpearson@lawmutualwa.com.au or on (08) 9324 8624.

2018/2019 Risk Management Seminar Programme

We are currently in the process of finalising the full Risk Management Seminar Programme 2018/2019; details will be released shortly.  Please note that the March 2018 seminars are part of the Risk Management Seminar Programme 2018/2019.  Attendance at the seminars will count towards your risk management training requirements for an annual contribution discount in the 2019/2020 Insurance Year.

The Essential Legal Assistant Course

Educating legal support staff about their role helping to reduce risk in their firm is a great way to contribute to a low risk culture within a firm.  The Essential Legal Assistant course aids this process by identifying those activities that could pose risks and raising awareness of a firm’s processes and procedures that mitigate those risks. . Improved communication with lawyers and clients, effective time management and ethical obligations of lawyers are some of the areas covered by this course that directly assist in managing the everyday activities of a firm as well as helping to reduce risk.

The participants complete work based assignments to ensure they are able to apply these new skills and knowledge within their firm.  With access to knowledgeable speakers and support from the Law Society, participants can build a network of peers, enabling continued learning even after the course ends.

The course is delivered live online with legal topics delivered via our eLearning portal.  This enables legal support staff in the CBD, metropolitan and country areas of Western Australia to participate in this course from their work or home computer.

Click here to book online.

Get to know your Law Mutual (WA)

Marion Pearson, Administration and Risk Officer

Marion began her professional career as a banker in country New South Wales, eventually moving to Sydney before, like so many young people in Australia, taking a sabbatical to travel and work in Europe for several years.  Whilst living in the United Kingdom, she continued to work in banking however, upon her return to Australia, made the decision to commence full time art studies at TAFE and then University. 

Studying for a Masters led her to Perth where, upon completion of this degree, she worked in the Education, Arts and not-for-profit sectors whilst still pursuing her arts career part time.  Marion has been with Law Mutual almost eight months, working with Vicki Coles Manager Risk overseeing and supporting the administration activities related to the Law Mutual Risk Management Programme, the Professional Indemnity Insurance Management Committee, the Professional Standards Scheme and the Quality Practice Standard.

As well as continuing to enjoy her art, Marion is keen to learn more about gardening in Western Australia and has been a member of a community choir for nearly twenty years.

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