Professional Negligence Claims

You may have a claim if a professional gave you poor advice or made an error that cost you money. The key questions are whether they fell below the standard expected of a competent professional, and whether that failure caused a loss you wouldn’t otherwise have suffered. We offer an honest initial assessment to help you decide.

You generally have six years from the date of the negligent act to bring a professional negligence claim. In some cases, a three-year period applies from when you became aware of the negligence. Time limits are strict, so it’s worth getting advice as soon as possible.

Costs vary depending on the complexity of your claim. Funding options include conditional fee agreements (no win, no fee), existing legal expenses insurance, and purchased after-the-event insurance. We’ll discuss the most suitable option for your situation during your initial assessment.

Most professional negligence claims resolve within 9–12 months once expert evidence is in place. If the other side disputes liability and court proceedings become necessary, claims can take 18–24 months. Many cases settle before reaching trial once strong evidence is presented.

A breach of contract claim arises when a professional fails to do what they agreed to do. Professional negligence is broader; it’s about failing to meet the standard of care expected of a competent professional, regardless of what was formally agreed. In some cases, both claims can be pursued at the same time.

You’ll need documents showing the advice or service you received, evidence of the error or failure, and proof of the financial loss it caused. In most cases, an independent expert report is also required to confirm the professional fell below the expected standard. We’ll guide you through what’s needed for your specific claim.

Don’t delay as time limits apply. Gather any documents relating to the advice or service you received, and keep records of any losses you’ve suffered. Then get legal advice as soon as possible. Early action gives you the best chance of preserving evidence and building a strong claim.

Yes. Claims against solicitors are among the most common types of professional negligence claim. They include missed deadlines, negligent advice, errors in drafting and failures in conveyancing. Solicitors are required to hold professional indemnity insurance, so there is usually a route to recovering compensation.

An early denial doesn’t mean your claim won’t succeed. Many insurers initially dispute liability but settle once faced with strong expert evidence. If they maintain their position, we’ll advise you clearly on whether court proceedings are worth pursuing based on the strength of your case and the likely recovery.

Many professional negligence claims can be handled under a conditional fee agreement, meaning you only pay if your claim succeeds. We’ll discuss whether this is suitable for your case during your initial assessment, alongside other funding options including legal expenses insurance.