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The Law Society has created a series of advice products to help you address some of the issues surrounding Professional Indemnity Insurance (PII). We've also clarified the Law Society's current position regarding the single renewal date, the Solicitors Indemnity Fund and other related matters.

Help and advice

Download our free supplement

The Law Society and Aon Limited have issued a supplementary edition of the PII bulletin, Insurance Matters. The supplement clarifies what information firms need to provide to clients about their PII policy following the recent entry into force of the Provision of Services Regulations 2009.
Download the supplement (PDF, 278kb)

Download our free bulletin

The Law Society and Aon Limited have launched a market intelligence bulletin on solicitors' professional indemnity insurance (PII). Insurance Matters will keep members informed of key issues, changes and trends in both the general insurance market and the solicitors' PII market.
Download the first issue (PDF, 673kb)
Please email your comments and feedback to insurancematters@lawsociety.org.uk.

Assigned Risks Pool: key information for prospective entrants

Key information on entering the Assigned Risks Pool, the 1 October deadline, and the rules governing early exit.
Read more

Law Society practice note

Our practice note describes PII requirements in the current market and details how you should apply, alongside related issues. It also covers what you should do if you're having difficulties obtaining insurance.
Read the practice note

Law Society helpline

We have launched a free dedicated helpline to support solicitors having difficulties with professional indemnity insurance during the renewal period. Call us on 0207 320 9545 from 09:00-17:00, Monday to Friday or e-mail PII@lawsociety.org.uk.

Guide to qualifying insurers 2009/2010

We have produced a guide to qualifying insurers, which is broken down into practice size, and also shows how to approach them.
Download the guide to insurers (PDF, 85kb)

PII buyers guide: free download

The Law Society has collaborated with the British Insurance Brokers' Association and Association of British Insurers to produce a guide to buying PII for solicitors. It provides information about the rights and responsibilities of solicitors, brokers and insurers in the renewal process.
Download the guide (PDF, 200kb)

Preparing for PII renewal 2009: download our webinar

Available to view on demand, our webinar covers the PII market, the processes involved and best practice approaches to preparing, planning and presenting your firm.
Find out more

Dispelling the myths around indemnity insurance

We have addressed some common member misconceptions about professional indemnity insurance as the renewal deadline approaches.
Read more in the Gazette

List of brokers and insurers

Contact details for qualifying insurers and brokers can be found at:

View the list of brokers (PDF, 362kb)
View the list of qualifying insurers

Please note: Neither the Law Society nor the Solicitors Regulation Authority approves, vets or regulates the qualifying insurers or brokers.

Model retainer letter

We have drafted a model retainer letter which you may wish to consider when engaging a broker. The model sets out the service standards that you should expect from your broker when organising your PII. We have been unable as yet to secure an agreed model and terms with either the British Insurance Brokers' Association or individual broking firms, but will continue to work towards this goal.
Download the model retainer letter (WORD, 41kb)

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Law Society position

Society calls for staggered renewals
The Law Society is planning a professional indemnity insurance (PII) shake up and will lobby the Solicitors Regulation Authority following the Council's decision to advocate for the abolition of a single renewal date. Law Society chief executive Des Hudson said variable renewal will not resolve all difficulties in the current solicitors' PII market but this will be addressed as part of a wider review next year.
Read more in the Gazette
Read the independent advice and more about the issue

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Latest news

25 September 2009
We have written to all qualifying insurers and the Association of British Insurers requesting an urgent response to our concerns over the inflated PII rates being quoted by some insurers. We are also lobbying the SRA to review the charging levels of the ARP to reflect the difficulties that solicitors are facing.
Read our press release

PII renewal: new market entrants

27 August 2009
In the past five days two new market entrants have been confirmed as qualifying insurers for solicitors PII – one of which is targeting the smaller end of the market.
Find out more

Amendment to the Qualifying Insurer's Agreement 2009

15 July 2009
You should be aware that the Solicitors Regulation Authority has recently amended the definition of 'claim' in clause 8.2 of Schedule 2 to the Qualifying Insurer's Agreement. The amendment will take effect from 1 October 2009.
Find out more

Society seeks to establish code of practice

15 July 2009
We are seeking to establish a voluntary code of practice for the annual renewal of solicitors' professional indemnity insurance. The code would set out the standards expected of solicitors, insurers and brokers during the renewal process. We will seek to continue discussions with the Association of British Insurers (ABI) and the British Insurance Brokers' Association (BIBA). We will also soon publish a guide on the rights and responsibilities of those purchasing PII.

Law Society provides professional indemnity insurance boost for members

23 April 2009
In response to pressure from insurers to push up premiums, the Law Society has issued a range of advice to help solicitors renewing PII in 2009.
Read the press release

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Lexcel accreditation

The Lexcel standard provides legal practices with a supportive framework for their business that focuses on key practice management areas. By implementing Lexcel's requirements across all areas, practices can more effectively manage risk and enhance client service to reduce potential complaints or claims. As part of a practice's long term strategy, Lexcel accreditation may result in lower PII rates or provide more favourable treatment from insurers.
www.lawsociety.org.uk/lexcel

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