Cripps Harries Hall

Professional negligence

Claims against professionals such as solicitors, accountants, surveyors, architects and doctors are increasing. These days, people expect more from their professional advisers, and rightly so.

If you are let down by a professional, you may be entitled to compensation from them or their insurers.

What we do

Our role is to hear your story, look at the relevant papers, understand what went wrong and let you know whether you have a claim.

It is always necessary to balance the cost of pursuing a claim against the likely outcome. In some cases we can agree to work on a Conditional Fee Agreement ('no win no fee'). In others we can offer alternative methods of billing. We try to accommodate your particular circumstances.

Most claims are settled without the need to go to court. We adopt a balanced but robust approach in the negotiating process.

We have excellent relations with the top barristers' chambers practising in professional negligence and, where a barrister is required to assist with your case, we will ensure that you receive the most appropriate and specialist help.

Why Cripps Harries Hall?

We have a team of lawyers who specialise in bringing claims against professionals. Our experience is extensive and covers all professional disciplines. Our aim is to achieve the best possible result in the most cost efficient way for you.

Next steps

For further information please contact Russell Simpson or Philip Youdan.

Our specialist team's experience is extensive and covers all professional disciplines. Here are a few examples

  • Acting for clients in relation to a claim valued in the region of £0.5m against surveyors who had negligently failed to identify fundamental problems with the structural integrity of the client's property in a survey prior to purchase.
  • Acting in a claim against accountants for negligent advice in relation to the tax consequences of a multi-million pound share buy-back.
  • Acting against a firm of surveyors relating to the negligent valuation of a residential property where the surveyors had failed to identify the correct structure resulting in the over-valuation of the property at the time of the client's purchase.
  • Acting for a client who had commenced High Court proceedings seeking substantial damages from his former solicitor and barrister for allegedly negligent advice given to him to settle a complicated commercial claim.
  • Acting in a claim against solicitors who acting in the administration of an estate had negligently advised the beneficiaries that the deceased's shares could not be sold until a Grant of Probate was obtained.
  • Acting against a mortgage lender relating to the repossession sale of the client's residential property at an undervalue estimated to be in the region of £130,000.
  • Negotiating a settlement of a claim against a firm of solicitors for negligent advice in relation to a conveyancing transaction. The case involved the clients being unable to use part of their accommodation as residential and was rigorously defended on complex causation and planning issues.
  • Acting for a national charity against a nationally recognised firm of surveyors for negligent planning advice and applications over the course of two years in relation to one of the charity's properties.
Name Role Contact
David Morgan Solicitor +44 (0)1892 506 048
Katie Mundy Solicitor +44 (0)1892 506 067
Russell Simpson Partner +44 (0)1892 506 139
Ed Weeks Partner +44 (0)1892 506 196
Philip Youdan Associate +44 (0)1892 506 027
Legal updates view all
+ Professional negligence legal update - A solicitor's duty to keep advice under review? - March 2012
Solicitors and their archiving staff will breathe a sigh of relief following the professional negligence case of Shepherd Construction Ltd v Pinsent Masons LLP [2012] EWHC 43 (TCC), which confirms that there is not normally a general retainer to keep past advice under review.
21/03/2012
+ Professional negligence update - March 2012
Is expert evidence necessary for a professional negligence claim?
12/03/2012
+ Professional negligence update - Solicitors duty to advise... for free? - February 2012
The recent professional negligence case of Padden v Bevan Ashford Solicitors [2011] EWCA CIV 1616 is likely to cause a stir amongst solicitors in relation to the pitfalls of not advising properly, even with the best of intentions and when the client is not charged.
01/02/2012
+ Professional negligence update - Limitation: claim against solicitors relating to purchase of a property - January 2012
Limitation: claim against solicitors relating to purchase of a property
19/01/2012
+ Professional negligence update - January 2012
Measure of loss on failure to advise on planning conditions
09/01/2012
+ Professional negligence - Legal update - November 2011
Surveyors held liable for £18m overvaluation
17/11/2011
+ Professional negligence update - November 2011
Scope of a retainer in property transactions did not extend to commercial advice about the transactions
04/11/2011
+ Professional negligence update - October 2011
Solicitors should seek clarification if an expert report is unclear
21/10/2011
+ Professional negligence update - October 2011
Should solicitors obtain medical evidence whenever they are instructed by an elderly client? That would be 'insulting and unnecessary'
21/10/2011
+ Professional negligence update - August 2011
Valuer's duty of care to buy to let purchaser. Reliance upon counsel's advice. Explaining CFA's
01/08/2011
+ Professional negligence update - Summer 2011
In this issue we look at some of the main developments affecting professional negligence so far this year. With a landmark judgment for expert witnesses, and not forgetting the proposed costs reforms, it has certainly been an eventful year so far!
28/06/2011
In the press view all
+ Professional let down
Claims against professionals are on the rise, but the process can be complex and legal sdvice should be sought as soon as possible to help the claimant navigate the many complex issues which can arise
01/12/2010

Key contacts

Russell Simpson
Professional negligence
+44 (0)1892 506 139
e-mail
Philip Youdan
Professional negligence
+44 (0)1892 506 027
e-mail