All Alberta lawyers in private practice (“Subscribers”) must purchase mandatory indemnity coverage through ALIA.
The Group Policy
The Alberta Lawyers’ Professional Liability and Misappropriation Indemnity Group Policy (the “Group Policy”) provides coverage to Subscribers for claims arising from errors in the rendering of “Professional Services”.
Indemnity Levies
Payment for the annual levies is due by June 30 each year. This includes the Professional Liability / Negligence levy, the Misappropriation levy, and the premium for the Universal Cyber Coverage Program that was introduced in 2022.
Failure to pay these levies by June 30 will result in administrative suspension.
Enhanced Surcharge Protocol
A surcharge is a professional liability assessment levied on Subscribers who have had repairs or damages paid on claims. The surcharge is payable in addition to the annual base levy and is due June 30.
Civil Litigation Filing Levy (“CLFL”)
The CLFL involves charging a levy of $75 (plus GST) for commencing and responding to civil litigation in the Court of King’s Bench of Alberta. Subscribers must report each instance of an applicable filing in the Law Society’s Lawyer Portal, with payment of the levy due each quarter.
Universal Cyber Coverage Program
The cyber coverage policy—provided by a global insurer and administered by ALIA—is designed to protect Subscribers, their law firms, and by extension their clients, by providing quick access to critical resources needed to respond to cyberattacks. It also covers claims for network security and privacy breaches brought against Subscribers and their firms.
