Professional Negligence Claims

Received professional negligence or harmful service?

Professionals have a legal duty to meet a minimum standard of care. If their failure causes harm to you or your business, you may be entitled to make a professional negligence claim.

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What is Professional Negligence?

Professional negligence happens when a professional fails to meet the standard expected in their field, resulting in loss or damage to their client.

Solicitors, accountants, architects, and other professionals owe a duty of care. If they breach this duty, they may be held legally responsible for the impact on you. Most professionals hold professional indemnity insurance to cover the cost of compensation, legal fees, and other expenses if a client suffers harm due to negligent advice or services.

How to Claim for Professional Negligence

If you think you’ve been let down by a professional, the first step is to get expert legal advice. At CEL Solicitors, we offer a free initial consultation to review your situation and advise if your claim has a strong chance of success. We’ll also explain any time limits that apply—usually six years from the date of the negligence, or three years from when you first found out about it if that’s later, with an overall limit of 15 years. If we proceed with your case, our specialist team will carry out a full investigation. This may include reviewing key documents, follow pre-action protocols, and involving expert witnesses to support your claim.

What are the different types of professional negligence claims?

There are a few different ways you can bring a claim for professional negligence, and the right one depends on how the professional let you down.

  • Contractual claims: These come from an agreement you had with the professional. If they breached what was promised in the contract and you suffered a loss because of it, you may be able to claim.
  • Statutory claims: Some professionals have extra duties set out in the law. If they break these rules and it leads to a loss or injury, you may be entitled to compensation.
  • Tortious claims: These are based on a general duty of care. Even if there was no written contract, you can claim if the professional failed to act with reasonable care and this caused you harm.
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Examples of Professional Negligence Claims

You may be wondering who can be sued for professional negligence? Unfortunately, professional negligence can happen in many industries - from accountants to construction, law firms to the education sector.

Some common examples of professional negligence include:

Insurance Broker Negligence Claims

Negligence can include failing to arrange suitable cover, giving incorrect policy advice, or not explaining key exclusions that leave you unprotected.

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Conveyancing Negligence Solicitors

If a conveyancer or property solicitor made a mistake during your transaction, you may be entitled to claim compensation.

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Construction Negligence Claims

From poor workmanship and design errors to non-compliance with building regulations, CEL Solicitors can help you understand your options and pursue the compensation you deserve.

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Surveyor Negligence Claims

Negligence can include missing structural defects, providing an incorrect property valuation, or failing to report serious issues in a survey report.

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Accountant Negligence Claims

Negligence can include failing to properly manage accounts, making errors in tax returns, or giving advice that leads to financial loss.

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Architect Negligence Claims

Mistakes such as flawed designs, failing to follow building regulations, or budget errors could be classed as negligent.

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Barrister Negligence Claims

A barrister may be negligent if they provide poor legal advice or fail to represent a client properly in court.

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Solicitor Negligence Claims

Negligence can include missing deadlines, failing to file important documents, or giving incorrect legal advice.

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Other Potential Areas of Negligence Include:

Professional negligence can also involve:

Conveyancers:

Failing to identify legal issues with a property, such as title defects or restrictions.

Insurance Brokers:

Not arranging suitable cover or failing to explain policy terms clearly.

Engineers:

Errors in design or failing to follow safety regulations, leading to unsafe or costly construction issues.

Surveyors:

Overlooking structural issues or giving inaccurate property valuations, potentially costing buyers significant sums.

How Our Professional Negligence Lawyers Can Help

We provide clear, proactive support to guide you through your professional negligence claim. Our goal is to take the stress off your shoulders and work hard to get you the best outcome.

Expert Guidance:

Straightforward advice on how to build a strong case.

Evidence Gathering:

We collect all the documents and expert input needed to support your claim.

Pre-Action Protocol:

Our professional negligence law firm handle every step to keep your case on track and avoid unnecessary delays.

Flexible Funding:

We work on a no-win, no-fee basis, so there’s nothing to pay upfront. If you win, any fees we can’t recover from the other side come out of your compensation.

Speak to Our Professional Negligence Specialists Today

If you think you could be a victim of professional negligence and you’re considering legal action, don’t face it alone. Our experienced professional negligence solicitors are here to listen, advise, and act in your best interests.

We understand how stressful and disruptive these issues can be – especially when there’s a lot at stake. That’s why we offer a supportive, straightforward service focused on solutions that protect your business and your peace of mind.

You are not alone. Just tell CEL. We listen. We care. We win.

Our Litigation Team

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Lara O'Donnell

Director of Litigation
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Sarah Sykes

Associate Solicitor
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Holly Edmondson

Trainee Solicitor

We’ve already helped thousands of people across the UK.

Speak to our friendly team today. You are not alone, and you may have a case.

Frequently Asked Questions

Your questions, answered.

It’s when a professional—like a solicitor, accountant, or architect—fails to meet the expected standard of care, causing harm or financial loss to their client.

If a professional’s actions—or lack of action—have caused you loss or damage, you might have grounds to claim. Contact us for a free consultation to talk it through.

No-win, no-fee means you won’t pay our legal fees if your claim is unsuccessful. There’s nothing to pay upfront and no hidden charges. If your claim succeeds, we’ll usually recover some of our costs from the other side, and any fees we can’t recover come out of your compensation. We’ll explain exactly how much before you sign anything.

Yes. If more than one professional was negligent, we can help you claim against each party involved, so the full extent of your loss is covered.

That depends on the financial loss and the impact the negligence has had on you. Once our team of professional negligence solicitors has reviewed your case, we’ll provide a clearer picture of what your claim might be worth.

Start by gathering any documents, emails, or records linked to the issue. Then speak to us. Our team will assess your situation and explain the next steps.

Key documents like contracts, letters, emails, or expert reports can all support your case. We’ll help you gather everything needed to build a strong claim.

To be successful with your professional negligence claim, as a victim, you must be able to establish these four components of negligence:

  • Duty of care: Proving the defendant had a duty of care to the victim.
  • Breach of duty: Showing that the defendant failed to meet the required standard of care expected in the circumstances.
  • Causation: Demonstrating that the defendant’s breach directly caused or materially contributed to the harm suffered.
  • Damages: Establishing that you suffered actual loss – whether financial, physical or emotional – as a result of the negligence.

 

Usually six years from the date of the negligence. If you only found out about the problem later, you may have three years from when you found out instead, with an overall limit of 15 years. Please get in touch as soon as you can to protect your right to claim.

Any professional who owes a duty of care can be held accountable. This includes solicitors, accountants, surveyors, engineers, insurance brokers, and more.

Not always. Many professional negligence claims are resolved through negotiation or mediation. If your case does go to court, we’ll support and guide you throughout the entire process.

Your case will be handled by our litigation team, made up of qualified solicitors, trainee solicitors and paralegals.

Why Choose CEL Solicitors for Professional Negligence Claims

We Make The Complex Simple

At CEL Solicitors, we specialise in professional negligence cases. We simplify the legal process and always put your best interests first.

No-Win, No-Fee Professional Negligence Representation

Nothing to pay upfront. If you win, any fees we can’t recover from the other side come out of your compensation.

We Fight For What’s Right

Whether your issue is personal or business-related, we’re here to resolve it as efficiently as possible.

If you’ve lost out because of a professional’s negligence, don’t wait. Contact CEL Solicitors to explore your options.

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