This information reflects the Society's web site at the date you downloaded or printed it and you should check at www.lawscot.org.uk to see if it is still current.

Information Sheet on the Master Policy For Professional Indemnity Insurance

Solicitors in Scotland have an excellent reputation and the vast majority of clients are happy with the services they provide.

If you feel that your solicitor or a member of their staff may have been negligent in the way they have handled your case, then you may have a claim against them.

1. DO I HAVE A CASE?

Before considering making a claim, you should ensure that you have a case. It is not enough just to be dissatisfied with the outcome of a particular transaction, court case etc. To establish that your solicitor was negligent and that you have a valid claim, the law requires you to be able to show:-

(a) that your solicitor owed you a duty of care;
(b) in what way your solicitor breached that duty of care; and
(c) the precise loss to you resulting from that breach of care.

2. MAKING A CLAIM

Making a claim and proving negligence can be complicated and you may need to ask a solicitor for assistance. Many claims are resolved by negotiation. Where negotiations fail, you may need to raise court proceedings in which case the court will decide the outcome of your claim.

There are time limits that apply to claims for negligence. After the expiry of those time limits, you may be unable to make a claim.


3. PURSUERS' PANEL

The Pursuers' Panel is a group of solicitors who have expertise in professional negligence to assist members of the public with advice about negligence claims against solicitors. More information on this Panel is available on the home page of the Society's website - www.lawscot.org.uk.

4. PROFESSIONAL INDEMNITY INSURANCE

Scottish solicitors working in private practice have Professional Indemnity Insurance cover for claims against them. This insurance means that, if you establish a valid claim for negligence against a solicitor, that claim will be paid - even if the solicitor is no longer in practice, no longer solvent or cannot be traced.

5. WHAT IS THE MASTER POLICY?

The Master Policy is the compulsory Professional Indemnity Insurance arrangement which covers all Scottish solicitors working in private practice. The Society arranges the Master Policy for Professional Indemnity Insurance. Claims are handled by the Master Policy insurers. The insurance provides cover of up to £1.5million for any one claim.

6. HOW DOES IT WORK?

In a summary, if you make a claim against your solicitor, your solicitor is entitled to make a claim for indemnity from the Master Policy insurers. Provided it is established that you have a valid claim, the Master Policy insurers will meet the solicitor's liability to you to meet your claim.

Not every claim will involve the insurers. Whether or not the Master Policy insurers become involved you still have to establish that your solicitor was negligent.

Depending on the circumstances, you may find that the Master Policy insurers (or solicitors instructed by them) become involved in responding to your claim. Where that happens, you will be sent a copy of the Master Policy Claims Handling Philosophy which is a statement of how the insurers seek to resolve claims.

Further information on the Master Policy may be obtained by emailing David Cullen at the Law Society of Scotland.