Claims against Lawyers

Professional negligence claims against solicitors and barristers have become more common in recent years.

We have extensive experience in dealing with claims against solicitors and barristers and we recognise that in looking to bring a potential negligence claim, clients have already had a very difficult experience and been let down by a professional they trusted to act on their behalf.

Solicitors and barristers have a duty to their clients to exercise reasonable care and skill. They are judged by the standard of a reasonably competent solicitor or barrister specialising in the area of law in which they practice and hold themselves out as having expertise in. For example, a property law solicitor acting for you in relation to the purchase of a property will be judged by the standard of a reasonably competent property solicitor.

Please read our Professional Negligence FAQs for the relevant test to be applied when considering whether you have a potential negligence claim. In summary, to be successful it must be proved that (1) you were owed a duty of care by the solicitor and/or barrister, (2) they breached their duty of care and (3) the breach caused a loss.

Solicitors and barristers will usually have the benefit of professional indemnity insurance so that, assuming liability is established, successful claimants will be able to recover some or all of their loss and the majority of their legal costs of bringing the claim. In any event, we provide our clients with clear advice about costs and the various ways of funding a professional negligence claim, alongside strategic and commercial advice at every step of the case.