Membership and Insurance Renewals

Membership Renewal Information

Membership in the Law Society of Alberta is renewed on an annual basis. Your 2008/09 membership fee invoice is enclosed with your renewal package.

Active members

Each active member must pay the annual active fee as well as the assurance fund levy. In addition, active members must submit the Member Information Update form.

Each active member must pay the active membership fee in the amount of $1,884.75 (includes the active fee of $1,218.00, the assurance fund levy of $666.75, and GST).

Inactive members

Each inactive member must pay the inactive membership fee in the amount of $178.50 (includes GST). Inactive members are not required to submit the Member Information Update form.

Membership Information Update Form

• All active members must complete both sides of the form and return the form to the Calgary office.
• Deadline for returning the completed form is March 17, 2008.
• Please see reverse of your renewal form for the descriptions of the Areas of Law.
• The form may be faxed to the Calgary office only.
• You are not required to sign the Member Information Update form.
• A $100 penalty will be charged if the form is not received by March 17, 2008. We are unable to issue your membership card until we receive the late penalty and the form in our Calgary office.

Method of Payment

Payment may be made by cheque, money order, internet banking, or wire transfer. Payments must be made payable to the Law Society of Alberta.

The Law Society of Alberta is registered with most major banks. The vendor name is the Law Society of Alberta and your account number is your member ID.

The LSA has recently changed banks so please ensure your banking information is up to date.

To make a payment by wire transfer, please use the Wire Transfer Payment Form.

Penalties

• If payment of the annual assessment is not received by the due date, your membership will automatically be suspended as of March 31, 2008 pursuant to Rule 165.
• If the Member Information Update form is not completed and received by March 17, 2008, a $100 penalty will be charged.
  

Change of Status

If you wish to change your membership status, please contact Membership Services for the appropriate forms, fees and instructions to make the desired change.

Membership Services
Telephone: 403-229-4781, option #2
Toll Free: 1-800-661-9003
Fax: 403-228-1728
send an e-mail to Membership

Relevant Rules of the Law Society of Alberta

164.1 Member Information Update Form

(1) The Executive Director shall, on or before February 15 in each year, email, fax or mail to each member a copy of the Member Information Update form, the content of which will be determined by the Executive Committee, together with a copy of this Rule.

(2) Each member must complete, sign and return the Member Information Update form to the Law Society no later than March 15 of that year, subject to any extension of time authorized by the Executive Director’s delegate.

(3) Failure to comply with (2) above will result in:

(a) an administrative penalty of $100.00; and

(b) the issuance of the member’s annual certificate being held in abeyance pending compliance with (2).

165 Sanctions for Late Payment

(1) If a member is liable in any year for the payment of the annual fee, assurance fund levy or library assessment, and the payment in full is not received by the Society at its offices in Calgary, Alberta, on or before March 15 in that year, the member shall stand automatically suspended as at March 31 in that year unless payment in full is received by that date.

(2) If a member is liable in any year for the payment of the annual non-practising fee and the payment in full is not received by the Society at its offices in Calgary, Alberta on or before March 15 in that year, the member shall stand automatically suspended as at March 31 in that year unless payment in full is received by that date.

Insurance Renewals

To renew your insurance coverage for the upcoming policy year (July 1, 2007 to June 30, 2008) you are required to remit a levy payment on or before July 03, 2007. 

Levy Amounts

The insurance levy can be paid by 2 instalments or a single payment.  If you choose to pay by instalments, you will be required to remit the 1st instalment by July 3rd.  The 2nd instalment will be due on December 31st.  An invoice for the 2nd instalment will be mailed to you.  If you choose to remit a single payment, you must pay the full amount by July 3rd.

Insurance Levy	$1,900.00
6% gst	$114.00
Total	$2,014.00

The insurance levy is subject to a surcharge, where specified, for members with a claims paid record.  A surcharge remains in effect for a period of five years.  If you have questions about surcharge amounts, contact Veronica D’Souza at 403-229-4719 or 1-800-661-1694.

Excess Coverage

ALIA recommends that law firms consider purchasing excess coverage for additional protection.  Applications are available from the CLIA website at www.clia.ca, or by calling June Fenton at 403-229-4736 or 1-800-661-1694.

Methods of Payment

Payment may be made by cheque, money order, or through internet banking, telephone banking or wire transfer. Payments must be made payable to the Alberta Lawyers Insurance Association.

The Alberta Lawyers Insurance Association is registered with most major banks for internet banking. The vendor name is the Alberta Lawyers Insurance Association and your account number is your member ID.

To make a payment by wire transfer, please find our Wire Transfer Payment Form on our website at www.lawsocietyalberta.com / Membership Services / Membership and Insurance Renewals. Credit card and bank teller payments cannot be accepted.

Change of Status

If you wish to change your insurance or membership status, please contact us for the appropriate forms, fees and instructions.

Please note that pursuant to the Rules of The Law Society of Alberta, members who are employed by or contract with a person (or corporation) other than a law firm, and who practice law solely within the scope of that employment or contract are exempt from the requirement to pay an insurance assessment and are not covered under the indemnity program offered by the insurer.  The Lawyers Professional Liability Group Policy excludes coverage for claims made against a lawyer by his or her employer and for claims arising out of or from services provided by a member in the course and within the scope of a relationship with a government, municipality, corporation, university, society or similar entity which is something other than a client-retainer relationship through a law firm.

Relevant Rules of the Law Society of Alberta

Sanctions for Late Payment

6% GST effective July 1, 2006.  We have adjusted the insurance levy invoice to reflect the proposed reduction in the GST.  If you choose to pay by instalment, you will pay 7% GST on the 1st instalment and 6% GST on the 2nd instalment.  If you choose to pay the full amount you will be required to submit 7% GST.  If the proposed GST adjustment is not implemented by the Federal Government, the LSA reserves the right to adjust the 2nd instalment GST amount.

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