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Professional negligence claims arise when trusted advisers fail to meet the standard reasonably expected of them and that failure causes financial loss.
Barnes Law’s professional negligence solicitors in London act for businesses, business owners and individuals in complex claims against solicitors, barristers, accountants, tax advisers, surveyors, valuers, financial advisers and other professionals.
We can help you throughout the process - from the earliest assessment of breach and causation through to settlement negotiations and contested litigation, and our negligence solicitors have a particular specialism in high-value commercial loss claims.
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Our professional negligence solicitors act in claims arising from negligent advice, missed deadlines, valuation errors, drafting mistakes and failures to identify or communicate material risks. We advise on claims against solicitors, barristers, accountants, tax advisers, surveyors, valuers, financial advisers and other professionals where the alleged breach has caused significant financial loss.
Our professional negligence team assesses the strength of the claim by considering the professional’s duty of care, whether the standard of reasonable skill and care was breached, whether that breach caused the loss claimed and the value of the resulting damages.
We also advise on claims involving professional indemnity insurers and on settlement under the Professional Negligence Pre-Action Protocol before proceedings are issued.
Our professional negligence lawyers act in claims against a wide range of advisers and professionals where negligent advice, omissions or errors have caused financial loss.
We advise on claims arising from missed limitation periods, negligent litigation or settlement advice, drafting errors, failures during transactions and incorrect advice on legal rights or remedies. Claims against legal professionals often require careful assessment of what would have happened had competent advice been given.
Professional negligence claims against accountants and tax advisers can arise from incorrect tax advice, accounting errors, failures to identify liabilities, negligent business or transaction advice and mistakes in financial reporting. We advise businesses and individuals seeking to recover losses caused by negligent financial advice.
We act in claims involving negligent property valuations, failures to identify material defects and inaccurate professional reports. Our professional negligence solicitors advise on losses arising from both commercial and residential property transactions.
We advise on claims involving unsuitable investment advice, failures to explain material risks, negligent financial planning and other advice that has resulted in substantial financial loss.
Claims can arise from negligent design, specification, supervision or project management. We advise on professional negligence involving architects, engineers, project managers and other construction professionals where errors have caused additional costs, delays or loss in property value.
Insurance brokers can face claims where negligent advice or placement leaves a client without the cover they reasonably expected. We advise on disputes involving inadequate cover, failures to disclose material information and claims where an insurer has declined indemnity.
Professional negligence claims are generally conducted in accordance with the Professional Negligence Pre-Action Protocol, which encourages the parties to exchange information and consider settlement before proceedings are issued. This commonly includes a preliminary notice followed by a detailed letter of claim setting out the alleged negligence and loss.
Many professional negligence claims involve the professional’s indemnity insurer from an early stage. We deal with insurers and their solicitors throughout the claim and pursue resolution through negotiation, mediation or commercial litigation and dispute resolution proceedings where settlement cannot be reached.
Professional negligence occurs where a professional fails to exercise the reasonable skill and care expected of them and that failure causes financial loss. Claims can arise from negligent legal, financial, property, tax or other specialist advice.
A professional negligence claim generally requires proof of a duty of care, breach of that duty, causation and recoverable loss. Our commercial litigation and dispute resolution team advises on how those elements apply in complex commercial claims.
A claim usually begins by investigating the advice given, gathering relevant documents and setting out the alleged breach and loss in a formal letter of claim. Most claims should follow the Professional Negligence Pre-Action Protocol before court proceedings are issued.
The Professional Negligence Pre-Action Protocol sets out the steps parties should take before litigation, including exchanging information, identifying the issues in dispute and considering settlement. It is designed to narrow disputes and encourage resolution before proceedings.
The usual limitation period is six years from the date the cause of action accrued, although different rules can apply where the loss was discovered later. Limitation is fact-sensitive, so claims should be assessed promptly.
Compensation is intended to place the claimant, so far as money can, in the position they would have been in had the negligence not occurred. Recoverable losses can include transaction losses, lost value, additional costs and other financial consequences caused by the breach.
Yes. Many professional negligence claims are resolved through negotiation, mediation or other forms of alternative dispute resolution. Barnes Law also advises on arbitration where the underlying agreement provides for it.
Yes. Claims can be brought against solicitors, accountants and other professionals where negligent advice or errors have caused financial loss. We work closely with our corporate solicitors and commercial law teams where the underlying issue concerns a transaction, contract or business arrangement.
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We offer an experienced team of claims solicitors with exceptional track records and strategic foresight.
Barnes Law is proud to be recognised as a market leader in the prestigious Chambers & Partners UK 2026 guide.
We act for high-net worth individuals, entrepreneurs and business owners who value discretion, responsiveness and trust.
Our approachable team, with a partner-led approach, specialises in addressing diverse complex legal challenges. Whether you represent a small to medium-sized enterprise, an entrepreneur, or a high-net-worth individual, we provide expert advice tailored to the intricacies of your case. For a consultation on how Barnes Law can assist you, please call us on +44 (0) 208 092 2700 or email info@barnes-law.co.uk.
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