The SRA Handbook is no longer in effect. It was replaced by the SRA Standards and Regulations on 25 November 2019.
SRA Handbook
Obligation to effect insurance
Back to version 21Version 16 of the Handbook was published on 01/04/2016. For more information, please click 'History' Above
Rule 4: Obligation to effect insurance
- 4.1
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All firms carrying on a practice during any indemnity period beginning on or after 1 October 2013 must take out and maintain qualifying insurance under these Rules.
- 4.2
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A firm must in respect of its obligation to effect and maintain qualifying insurance:
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obtain a policy of qualifying insurance prior to the expiry of the policy period that provides cover incepting on and with effect from the expiry of the policy period;
if the firm has been unable to obtain a policy of qualifying insurance prior to the expiry of the policy period in accordance with Rule 4.2(a), obtain a policy of qualifying insurance during or prior to the expiry of the extended indemnity period that provides cover incepting on and with effect from the expiry of the policy period; and
if the firm has been unable to obtain a policy of qualifying insurance prior to the expiry of the extended indemnity period in accordance with Rule 4.2(b), cease practice promptly, and by no later than the expiration of the cessation period, unless the firm obtains a policy of qualifying insurance during or prior to the expiry of the cessation period that provides cover incepting on and with effect from the expiry of the policy period and covers all activities in connection with private legal practice carried out by the firm including, without limitation, any carried out in breach of Rule 5.2.
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- 4.3
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A solicitor or REL is not required to take out and maintain qualifying insurance under these Rules in respect of work done as an employee or whilst otherwise directly engaged in the practice of another firm (including without limitation as an appointed person), where that firm is required by these Rules to take out and maintain qualifying insurance.
Commentary:
Under these Rules, firms have a continuing obligation to ensure that they have professional indemnity insurance in place which satisfies the MTC requirements for qualifying insurance in place at all times with effect from 1 October 2013. Refer to the definitions of practice, amongst others, to establish whether a firm falls within the scope of these Rules. Firms should also check that any qualifying insurance that they take out in order to comply with these Rules (as opposed to any "top-up" cover) is taken out with a participating insurer. A list of participating insurers appears on the website of the SRA at www.sra.org.uk, and is also available from the SRA. Contact details appear at the end of the introductory commentary.
Firms should note in particular that work carried out by an appointed person for that firm may be covered by the firm's policy, whether that person is engaged as an employee or on a contract for services.
If a firm, on or before the expiry of the policy period, fails to obtain a policy of qualifying insurance from a participating insurer commencing on the day following such expiration, the firm's participating insurer is required to extend cover under the existing policy for a further 30 days. If a firm fails to obtain an alternative policy of qualifying insurance during or prior to the expiration of the 30 day extended indemnity period it must cease practice within a further period of 60 days (known as the cessation period) unless the firm obtains a policy of qualifying insurance on or before the expiry of the cessation period which provides cover that incepts or is backdated to incept with effect on and from the expiry of the policy period. Any such policy of qualifying insurance must cover all activities carried out in connection with private legal practice by the firm, including any carried out during the cessation period in breach of Rule 5.2. During the cessation period, the firm (and its principals, employees, consultants and agents) may only engage in activities in connection with private legal practice on behalf of the firm to discharge its obligations within the scope of the existing instructions the firm held before the cessation period commenced or which are necessary in connection with the discharge of such obligations. Disciplinary action will be taken against those who accept new instructions and/or engage in other non-permitted legal activities during the cessation period. The firm's participating insurer is required to provide cover during the cessation period which, as a minimum, satisfies the MTC.
The SRA will work with the firm to ensure that it has ceased practice prior to the expiration of the 60 day cessation period. Firms must be aware that the participating insurer under the existing policy will not be required to provide any cover beyond this period except for run-off cover for a period of six years commencing on the expiry of the firm's final policy of qualifying insurance (excluding any extended indemnity period and cessation period (as may be applicable)).
Note that, under the MTC, a policy, once taken out, cannot be cancelled unless:
Most recognised bodies and licensed bodies (in respect of their regulated activities) are required to obtain cover complying with the MTC and with a sum insured of £3 million, rather than £2 million for other firms. The definition of "relevant recognised body" and "relevant licensed body" in these Rules indicates which recognised bodies and licensed bodies this requirement applies to.