ALIA values the opinions of our Subscribers. We want to learn about your views on the indemnity program’s current and future potential offerings, your experiences with ALIA, and what we can do to improve our service to Subscribers.

Every quarter, ALIA surveys our Subscribers whose covered claims have been resolved during that quarter. We are pleased that the satisfaction rate is very high - between 96% and 100% in the past year. However, that leaves out the opinions and views of the majority of our Subscribers (7, 342) in Alberta. We want to change that.

To make this happen, we have engaged the Mustel Group, a leader in market research and analysis, to conduct an anonymous online survey seeking your feedback. All survey responses are confidential, and the information you provide will be tabulated and analyzed by Mustel Group and then provided to ALIA in aggregate form to help us maximize ALIA’s potential.

The insights and information you provide will help deepen our understanding of your business and help us shape future initiatives.

You can expect to receive a survey link by the end of November.

Thank you in advance for your participation. Your feedback is greatly appreciated, as it will make an important contribution to the future of ALIA.

Lawyers who participate in the mandatory indemnity program (“Subscribers”) are covered under Part A of the Group Policy for claims arising from errors in the rendering of professional services.

The Group Policy defines “professional services” as services normally provided or supervised by a lawyer within the scope of a usual solicitor-client relationship. The definition of professional services includes services rendered as an arbitrator or mediator of legal disputes, or in an equivalent role concerning such disputes.

Coverage is provided up to the full Group Policy limit per policy period of $1,000,000 per occurrence and $2,000,000 in the annual aggregate, subject to the terms and conditions of the Group Policy*. Coverage is restricted to claims that involve domestic law or areas of foreign law where the Subscriber’s practice is approved by ALIA as set out in a general endorsement to the Group Policy.

*There is a sub-limit of $250,000 for lawsuits brought in a foreign jurisdiction.

Lawyers who participate in the mandatory indemnity program (“Subscribers”) are covered under Part A of the Group Policy for claims arising from errors in the rendering of professional services, which would include pro-bono professional services subject to the terms and conditions of the Group Policy (including deductibles and surcharges).

Coverage for Members of the Law Society of Alberta who are exempt from the mandatory indemnity program is limited to services through approved pro bono legal services providers. Exempt members can contact the Law Society of Alberta or refer to the information here for requirements.

Articling students are not covered because they are not Subscribers to the Group Policy, which is the mandatory professional liability indemnity program for lawyers in private practice in Alberta. However, the Group Policy provides coverage to principals (or other supervising lawyers) for the articling student’s errors (not theft/misappropriation) to the extent that they are liable for the activities of the articling student under their supervision and control. Please note the Group Policy does not apply to in-house or government lawyers. Therefore, if any part of the student’s articling involves an in-house position, the student must ensure they are indemnified or insured for errors and omissions by the employer or under the principal’s or supervisor’s insurance policy.

ALIA recommends that Subscribers purchase excess insurance for coverage above the Group Policy limits and foreign law matters. Although the policy limit of $1,000,000 per occurrence per policy period and $2,000,000 in the annual aggregate offers generous financial protection for the majority of claims Subscriber’s face, it may not be enough to protect you and your firm. Excess insurance provides Subscribers and Law Firms with an additional layer of insurance protection should defence, and damage payments exceed the ALIA policy limits. Additionally, coverage under the Group Policy is restricted to claims involving domestic law or areas of foreign law approved by ALIA as set out in a general endorsement to the Group Policy. Therefore, Subscribers who have foreign law exposure should purchase excess insurance for this exposure.

Excess insurance can be purchased through Canadian Lawyers Insurance Association and commercial brokers. If you have foreign law exposure, you should discuss your insurance requirements with a commercial broker. Generally speaking, CLIA does not cover the practice of foreign law or claims involving foreign lawsuits.

You can read the Group Policy and Policy FAQs on ALIA’s website here.