Professional Negligence
Professional negligence occurs when a qualified expert fails to perform their duty, causing financial loss, distress, or harm. Our firm has a team of legal experts who help businesses and individuals hold negligent professionals accountable. Whether you have received substandard services, flawed legal advice, or inaccurate valuations, we are here to help. Speak to our expert lawyers to file your claim or fight your case.
Professional Negligence
Professional negligence occurs when a qualified expert fails to perform their duty, causing financial loss, distress, or harm. Our firm has a team of legal experts who help businesses and individuals hold negligent professionals accountable. Whether you have received substandard services, flawed legal advice, or inaccurate valuations, we are here to help. Speak to our expert lawyers to file your claim or fight your case.
What is Professional Negligence?
Professional negligence is the failure of a qualified expert to perform their duty according to the expected standard. This failure can result in financial loss or harm. Professionals such as solicitors, accountants, medical practitioners, or financial advisors are expected to meet a duty of care, acting responsibly and avoiding harm.
Examples include misdiagnosis, delayed medical care, incorrect legal advice, structural or design flaws, poor financial planning, or low-quality service. Individuals affected by these issues may be entitled to claim compensation.
Who Can Be Liable for Professional Negligence?
Qualified professionals such as solicitors, barristers, accountants, auditors, financial advisors, surveyors, architects, and medical practitioners can be held liable. If they fail to meet the expected standards in their field, resulting in loss or harm, they can be accountable.
Common Types of Professional Negligence Claims
Solicitor Negligence: Missing deadlines, giving incorrect legal advice, mistakes in documents, or breaches of fiduciary duty.
Accountant Negligence: Financial errors, poor tax planning, failure to detect fraud, resulting in fines or financial loss.
Surveyor and Valuer Negligence: Inaccurate valuations or failure to identify structural issues, leading to poor investment decisions or unexpected repair costs.
Financial Adviser Negligence: Unsuitable advice, recommending wrong products, or prioritizing personal interest, leading to financial loss.
Do You Have a Professional Negligence Claim?
Individuals experiencing unexpected financial loss, poor advice, or substandard service may have a claim. A claim is valid if you prove that the expert owed a duty of care, breached it, and caused direct loss. Claims must be made within six years, or up to three years from when the issue was discovered. Timely action is crucial to protect your rights and recover losses.
The Solicitor Fees for Civil Litigation for 2026
- Initial Consultation & Case Evaluation: Review with a solicitor to assess duty of care, breach, and loss.
- Pre-Action Protocol: Letter of Claim sent to the professional/insurer outlining the issue and compensation sought. Response expected within 3 months.
- Negotiation Attempts: Discuss documents and consider Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) such as mediation.
- Litigation Process (if needed): Court proceedings may be issued if ADR fails, including preparing the case and attending hearings.
- Claim Resolution: Settlement at any stage or trial where a judge decides the outcome.
Step
Description
1. Initial Consultation & Case Evaluation
You meet with a solicitor to review your case. They assess whether the professional owed you a duty of care, breached it and caused you loss.
2. Pre-Action Protocol
Your solicitor will send a Letter of Claim to the professional or their insurer. This outlines what went wrong and what compensation you are seeking. The professional has 21 days to acknowledge and 3 months to respond.
3. Negotiation Attempts
Both sides are encouraged to discuss the claim, share relevant documents and consider Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) like mediation before proceeding to litigation.
4. Litigation Process (if needed)
If the case is not resolved via ADR or PAP, your solicitor may issue court proceedings. This includes preparing your case, following timelines and attending hearings.
5. Claim Resolution
The claim can be resolved through a settlement at any stage. If not, it goes to trial where a judge decides the outcome.
Funding Your Professional Negligence Claim
Options include No Win, No Fee (Conditional Fee Agreement), legal expenses insurance (Before the Event/BTE), or third-party funding where a company covers costs in return for a share of compensation. Discuss funding with your solicitor to choose the most suitable option.
Why Choose Us For Professional Negligence
Our solicitors have extensive experience and a strong track record in handling negligence claims. We provide:
- Honest advice
- Clear communication
- Client-focused approach
- Assistance in achieving the best outcome
Positive client reviews demonstrate our ability to handle complex cases effectively.
Frequently Asked Questions
Compensation depends on the case and may cover financial losses, investments, or costs to rectify professional errors.
Time varies with case complexity.
Yes, if they fail to perform their professional duty.