Law firms need to be more attuned to risk management tactics in order to avoid higher insurance premiums. Now is the time to speak to your broker, say Duncan Greenwood and Naomi Park

With six months to go before the October deadline for solicitors to renew their professional indemnity cover, and against a backdrop of harsh economic times and a hardening insurance market giving rise to higher premiums, time is now of the essence for firms as they focus on managing business risks. What practical steps can solicitors take now to reduce the risk of claims and keep insurance premiums down?