2026 Parliamentary Inquiry into NSW solicitors’ professional indemnity insurance arrangements
Why This Matters
This Inquiry is considering issues that may have lasting implications for legal practitioners.
The Select Committee will inquire into and report on the potential for competition reforms regarding solicitors’ professional indemnity insurance. Under examination are issues that could directly affect solicitors, including:
- the impact of the current settings resulting in effectively a monopoly insurance provider (Lawcover);
- whether current premium pricing delivers value for the profession;
- opportunities to drive competition via new market entrants;
- legislative reform options that could provide solicitors with greater choice, flexibility and access to alternative insurance providers; and
- any other related matters.
Have Your Say
Your experience matters
The Inquiry
is seeking evidence and real-world experiences from practitioners.
Whether you are a sole practitioner, small firm or larger practice, your perspective can help shape future outcomes.
Submissions are open now (until 15 September 2026)
Take the opportunity to have your say and help shape the future of the profession.
Why Submit?
Your submission can:
- highlight practical issues
- explain unintended consequences
- share client impacts
- express your concerns with the current situation
- recommend solutions
- ensure decision-makers understand the realities of practice.
If practitioners do not participate, others will define the conversation.
Whatever your personal view of the issues, this is likely to be one of the most significant reviews of solicitors’ professional indemnity insurance arrangements in many years. If members of the profession wish to influence the future direction of those arrangements, now is the time to engage.
How to Make a Submission
- Step 1: Review the Terms of Reference
- Step 2: Identify the issues most relevant to your practice
- Step 3: Submit your comments directly to the Inquiry
You can lodge a submission:
- through the Select Committee’s website - see the Submissions section
- by emailing it to indemnity.insurance@parliament.nsw.gov.au
- by writing to:
Director Committees, Select Committee into the Potential for Competition Reforms Regarding Solicitors’ Professional Indemnity Insurance,
Parliament House, Macquarie Street, Sydney NSW 2000
Key Dates
| Milestone | Date |
|---|---|
| Inquiry announced | Wednesday, 5 August 2026 |
| Submissions open | Wednesday, 19 August 2026 |
| Submissions closing | Tuesday, 15 September 2026 |
| Hearings | Still to be announced |
| Report due | Still to be announced |
Links
-
NSW Government
- Select Committee - Inquiry page
-
25 Mar 2026 – NSW Legislative Council – Order for Papers – insurance for solicitors in NSW
- Please contact us for more information on the contents of publicly released documents.
-
Media articles
-
ABC Insurance
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can make a submission?
Any practitioner, law firm, stakeholder or interested individual.
Does my submission have to be lengthy?
No. Practical examples and concise feedback are valuable.
Can I make a confidential submission?
Yes. when you lodge your submission, let the committee know if you are requesting that:
- Your submission be published in full on the website including your name.
- Your submission be published in full on the website but with your name removed.
- Only particular sections of your submission be published and other sections be kept confidential.
- All of your submission including your name be kept confidential.
What happens after submissions close?
The committee will hold hearings.
ABC Insurance will continue to update the profession regarding developments.
The Profession’s Voice Matters
The Inquiry
is considering issues that may have lasting implications for legal practitioners.
Submissions are open now. Take the opportunity to have your say and help shape the future of the profession.
Make a Submission Today