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Paralegal Insurance Frequently Asked Questions

How do I provide the Law Society with proof that I have professional liability insurance?

You will be prompted to upload a copy of your insurance policy or Certificate of Insurance when you add a new policy in the Insurance section of the LSO Portal.
Do I need to obtain paralegal professional liability insurance (paralegal insurance)?

All licensees who hold a class P1 licence must maintain paralegal professional liability insurance unless an exemption applies. For details, see Paralegal Insurance Requirements.
Does the Law Society recommend any specific insurance brokers/companies and/or policies?

No. Paralegals should review By-Law 6 and ensure they purchase a policy that meets the requirements set out in the by-law. Paralegals that belong to a paralegal association may wish to check with the association to see if they have any relationships with insurers providing paralegal insurance.
Can I start providing legal services once I have purchased insurance?

If you have selected a status that allows you to provide legal services and have provided your business contact information through the LSO Portal, you may start providing legal services to the public once you have uploaded proof of insurance through the Insurance area of the Portal.
Can I purchase insurance from LAWPRO?

Lawyers’ Professional Indemnity Company (LAWPRO) insures paralegals only in situations described in By-Law 6. Paralegals must purchase insurance from LAWPRO if the paralegal and one or more lawyer(s) are in partnership together or both paralegal(s) and lawyers(s) are shareholders in a professional corporation and the business of the partnership or professional corporation is the practice of law and the provision of legal services.
What if I want to change my paralegal insurance?

If you choose to change companies or switch to a different policy, you must notify the Law Society at least 60 days before your policy is cancelled or amended. If you are providing legal services, you must be insured at all times. You may not provide legal services until your new or amended policy takes effect.
I am being sued for professional negligence. What do I do?

Review Rule 8.04 of the Paralegal Rules of Conduct. You will see that 8.04(2) requires paralegals to give prompt notice to their insurer of any circumstances that may give rise to a claim so that the client’s protection from that source will not be prejudiced.
My broker has advised me I do not need to have the Law Society of Ontario listed as an additional insured; however, I was told by the Law Society that it is a requirement. Which is correct?

Subsection 12(1) of Part II of By-Law 6 says that there must be a provision naming the Law Society as an additional insured for the purposes of reporting claims and receiving notice of the cancellation or amendment of the policy.
I am working as an Immigration Consultant and have an insurance policy that covers me for that work. Do I require a paralegal insurance policy as well?
Yes. To comply with By-Law 6, paralegals must have insurance coverage for liability for errors, omissions and negligent acts arising out of the provision by the licensee of services authorized under a Class P1 licence.
My status on the Law Society’s Lawyer and Paralegal Directory is currently listed as “Not Eligible to Provide Legal Services - No Proof of Insurance” but I have uploaded my policy. When does the directory reflect my insurance?

You need to update your status in the Change of Information section of the LSO Portal to one that allows you to provide legal services. The directory will be updated the day after the status change is processed.
My insurance broker has typically emailed a copy of my Certificate of Insurance to the Law Society. Can my broker still do that?

No. It is the paralegal’s responsibility to complete the information required in the Insurance section of the LSO Portal and upload a copy of their insurance policy or Certificate of Insurance before their current policy expires. The Law Society will no longer be accepting insurance documents directly from brokers or insurance companies.
I understand I now have to enter information about my own insurance policy. How and where do I do so?
You can now enter information about your insurance policy through the LSO Portal.
1. Log in to your LSO Portal account. The portal Home page opens.
2. Select the Insurance option in the left side menu to access the Insurance Portlet. The overview page of the Professional Liability Insurance section opens.
3. Under the heading Insurance Policies, click the Add New Policy button. The Insurance Policy Details page opens.
4. Enter the details for your policy in the form. Fields marked with * are required. Click the Next button.
5. The Upload Files page opens. Click the Choose File button. Locate and select the file in the file explorer window and click the Open button. Files in format pdf, png or jpg are accepted.
6. Click the Upload button. The file is listed under the heading Files Uploaded.
7. Click the document filename in the table to open the file and check that it is the correct one. Click the Next button.
8. The review page opens. Review the information you entered to make sure it is correct.
9. Read the declaration and select the declaration check box. Click the Submit button.
10. The overview page opens. The insurance policy will be listed under the Insurance Policies heading.
11. To cancel an active policy, use the Cancel button on the overview page to add the cancellation date to the policy details.
I am working under the direct supervision of a lawyer. Do I need to have my own insurance?

You may not need your own policy if you are acting under the direct supervision of a lawyer who is insured with LAWPRO. For details, see Paralegal Insurance Requirements.
How do I report that I am working under the direct supervision of a lawyer?
You can now enter information about working under the direct supervision of a lawyer through the LSO Portal.
1. Log in to your LSO Portal account. The portal Home page opens.
2. Select the Insurance option in the left side menu to access the Insurance Portlet. The overview page o the Professional Liability Insurance section opens.
3. Under the heading Working under the direct supervision of a lawyer, click the Add Lawyer button.
4. The Lawyer Details screen opens. Search for the lawyer by entering either their Law Society Number OR their first name and last name. Click the Search button.
5. Find the correct lawyer in the table of search results. Select the radio button in the Selection column for that lawyer.
6. Enter the Start date of supervision by this lawyer. Enter the end date if you know it. If you do not, you can enter it later. Click the Next button.
7. The Business Details screen opens. One or more businesses associated with the lawyer are listed. Select the radio button in the Selection column for the name of the business where you are working. Click the Next button.
8. The review page appears. Check that the information you entered is correct. If it is not, use the Change button for Lawyer Details or for Business Details to make the correction.
9. Read the declaration and select the declaration check box. Click the Submit button.
10. The overview page opens. The insurance policy will be listed under the Working under the direct supervision of a lawyer heading.
11. Once you know when the supervision will end, use the End button on the overview page to add the end date to the supervision details.
I think I am exempt from obtaining paralegal insurance under By-Law 6. What do I do?
Paralegals who work in situations set out in subsection 12(2) of By-Law 6 may be exempt from the requirement to maintain insurance against professional liability. You can now enter information about exemptions through the LSO Portal.
1. Log in to your LSO Portal account. The portal Home page opens.
2. Select the Insurance option in the left side menu to access the Insurance Portlet. The overview page of the Professional Liability Insurance section opens.
3. Under the heading By-Law 6 Exemptions, click the Add Exemption button.
4. The Insurance Exemption screen opens. Select the radio button for the applicable Exemption Reason.
5. Select an Exemption Start Date.
6. Read the declaration and select the declaration check box. Click the Submit button.
7. The overview page opens. The exemption will be listed under the By-Law 6 Exemptions heading.
8. If the exemption ends, use the End button on the overview page to add the end date to the exemption details.
I made an error when I was uploading my insurance document. How do I edit it?

Please send an email to parains@lso.ca outlining the situation. Attach your insurance policy or Certificate of Insurance, if applicable.

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