Professional Indemnity Insurance

Under Regulation 96 (a) and (b) Legal Profession Regulations 2009 all legal practitioners are required to hold professional indemnity insurance.

Regulation 97(1)(a) of the Regulations provides the following exemption from Regulation 96(a) or (b), relevant to members of the Association:

“a barrister who is covered by a policy of professional indemnity insurance that –

(i)         is in a form approved by resolution of the Council of The Western Australian   Bar Association; and
(ii)       provides cover up to a limit which, in the aggregate, is not less than that provided under a certificate of insurance under the PII arrangement for the period in respect of which exemption is claimed;"

"PII arrangement" means an arrangement made by the Law Society under regulation 84(1)(a).

“Barrister” is defined in the Legal Profession Act 2008 as an Australian Legal Practitioner who engages in legal practice solely as a barrister.

For the 2013-2014 year, Bar Council has resolved to approve professional indemnity insurance policies submitted by the following insurance providers:

The minimum level of cover for 2013-2014 is $2 million for each claim inclusive of costs.

Please note it is the responsibility of each barrister to satisfy him or herself as to the content of the policies on offer, the terms and conditions, and the premium applicable to them.  All inquiries about the policies, including premium information should be directed to the brokers/insurers.  The WABA’s Bar Council is unable to provide recommendations or any advice as to the merits of the policies.

Set out below are the contact particulars for each insurance provider: