Professional Standards Scheme

 

The Western Australian Bar Scheme (Scheme) under the Professional Standards Act 1997 (WA) (Act) commenced on 1 July 2020.

About the Scheme

The Scheme applies to all members of The WA Bar (as set out in cl.2.1 of the Scheme) and will, subject to the provisions of the Scheme, limit the liability of members to whom the Scheme applies (Scheme Participants) to damages in the amount of $2 million.

The liability limited by the Scheme includes, to the extent permitted by the Act, civil liability arising (in tort, contract or otherwise) directly or vicariously from anything done or omitted by a Scheme Participant in acting in the performance of his or her occupation.  The limit on liability extends only to those matters that fall directly within the scope of a Scheme Participant’s professional work as a barrister and does not apply to liability for damages arising from breach of trust, fraud or dishonesty or liability expressly excluded under the Act.

For the purposes of regulation 97(1)(a)(ii) of the Legal Profession Regulations 2009, for the 2022-2023 year the minimum level of cover is $2 million for each claim inclusive of costs.

It remains the responsibility of each barrister to determine his or her professional indemnity insurance requirements and the level of cover.

Members should familiarise themselves with the terms of the Act, and in particular sections 34, 41, 42, 44, 45 and the relevant defined terms in section 4.

The Scheme does not apply to Interstate, Honorary, Judicial, Magistrate or Ex Officio members of The WA Bar, or to members who have applied for, and been exempted from, participating in the Scheme by Bar Council.

Scheme Participants’ Obligations

Disclosure Requirements

Under section 45 of the Act all documents given, or caused to be given to a client or prospective client by a Scheme Participant must include a disclosure statement as to a Scheme Participant’s limited liability status.

The Professional Standards Legislation requires the following disclosure statement for association members who are covered by a Professional Standards Scheme:

“Liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards Legislation”

Important Documents:

Professional Standards Act 1997 (WA)
Professional Standards Councils’ Your responsibilities – limited liability disclosure
The Western Australian Bar Professional Standards Scheme

 

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The Western Australian Bar only contains the contact details of those barristers who are members of The WA Bar with current WA or Interstate practising certificates and who have agreed to their details being made available.

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