Uniform Law > Professional Indemnity Insurance
Professional Indemnity Insurance
The basic rule in the Uniform Law is that an Australian legal practitioner is prohibited from engaging in legal practice unless the legal practitioner holds or is covered by an approved insurance policy for that jurisdiction, and that insurance policy meets the minimum standards set out in the Uniform Rules – sections 210 and 211.
Two of the minimum standards set out in the Uniform Rules for solicitor law practices are that:
- the policy must cover any civil liability, including professional negligence, incurred in connection with the legal services provided by the law practice; and
- the policy must provide a minimum cover of $2 million per claim (inclusive of defence costs) - Rules 78(2) and (4).
For a barrister, the policy must indemnify against civil liability incurred while engaging in legal practice as a barrister within Australia and provide a minimum cover of $1.5 million per claim (inclusive of defence costs) up to a minimum aggregate limit of $4.5 million – Rules 79(2) and (4).
Professional Indemnity Insurance (PII) Forms
Read the public statement (PDF) -
Exemptions to hold or be covered by an approved insurance policy