 The SMDF is a non-profit making mutual fund set up and run by solicitors for solicitors to provide professional indemnity cover at competitive rates. The SMDF’s objective is to bring stability into the PI market and reduce the cost of cover for solicitors.
We aim to do this by harnessing the collective negotiating power of our members and by becoming the standard bearer of quality and excellence. We believe our members have the power to stabilize the PI market if we achieve higher standards in managing risk. As a collective, we will leverage the risk management efforts of our members into lowering PI costs for all.
We aim to empower solicitors to effect change and reduce claims by:
- Launching a common risk management standard for solicitors in Ireland – the SMDF LQ Basic
- Assisting every member to achieve the SMDF LQ Basic standard
- Introducing a culture of continuous improvement in risk management
- Bringing risk awareness to the top of members’ agendas
- Providing support, help and a cost effective methodology to effect change
- Facilitating the education of members through newsletters, seminars and workshops
- Assisting members in presenting good PI applications at renewal
What the SMDF offers our members
- The SMDF LQ Basic, a unique tailored risk management programme with certification and accreditation
- Regular advice in the form of newsletters, emails and postings on our website
- Country wide seminars, workshops, conferences and publications
- Liaison with Bar Associations throughout the country
- Personal and direct assistance when a member needs advice
- Experience in sorting out issues before they become claims
- A choice of solicitor from our panel in the event of a claim
- Assistance and advice for members at renewal time
What is the SMDF LQ Basic Standard
The SMDF LQ Basic has been introduced to:
- Keep PI costs to a minimum
- Help members reduce claims
- Assist members with renewal
The SMDF LQ Basic comes with detailed instructions, action plans and templates. It is designed as a framework for solicitors to customise their own risk strategies and procedures and implement new procedures where necessary.
The individual elements of the SMDF LQ Basic reflect the requirements of all professional indemnifiers. They also form the basis for our renewal form this year. For further details, click here. | 
