Register an Assignment
Register as a LocumQ: Am I covered by professional indemnity insurance if I work as a locum or do I need to take out a policy?
A: Unlike doctors and other professions, solicitors’ firm Professional Indemnity Insurance usually covers locum solicitors working on behalf of the law firm. In 99.5% of cases, locum and temporary members of staff are covered by our clients’ professional indemnity insurance policy. If you are unsure at any time before an assignment begins please contact us and we will gladly check for you. Whilst you are on-site with a client you can ask the firm’s practice manager or one of the partners and ask for confirmation.
Most law firms would be surprised to be asked about PII because it is taken for granted that locums are covered, but with all the changes in the market and different rules applying to so many areas of a law firm practice, it can be worth checking.
Some locum solicitors do take out their own policies just to be on the safe side, and the cheapest way of doing this is to use a price comparison site.
To give you an idea of the cost, we have professional indemnity insurance ourselves, although our terms exclude liability, and the cost is minimal – less than £30 per month. We would expect a similar rate for a locum solicitor because we understand that liability for any errors will rest with the client in most circumstances rather than the locum.
For a further article with advice on professional indemnity insurance, please visit: https://interimlawyers.co.uk/locums-and-professional-indemnity-insurance-2/
