Legal Experts in Professional Negligence Claims
If you believe you have a professional negligence claim due to poor advice or service from a professional, our expert team is here to assist and guide you through the claims process with confidence. Time limits apply to professional negligence claims, so it is important to seek advice promptly.
What is a professional negligence claim?
A professional negligence claim may arise when a qualified professional, such as a solicitor, accountant, architect or surveyor, fails to meet the standards reasonably expected of their profession and, in doing so, causes you financial loss or harm.
All professionals owe a legal duty to provide their services with reasonable care and skill. If a professional makes a mistake, fails to act or provides poor advice and this results in a financial loss to you, you may be entitled to claim compensation.
We help individuals and businesses assess whether a professional's actions or inaction amount to negligence and advise on the appropriate steps to take.
What professional negligence claims can we help with?
Our nationally recognised dispute resolution team has extensive experience of handling professional negligence claims across a wide range of industries. We regularly advise individuals and businesses on complex claims throughout the UK.
We can help with claims against professionals who have failed in their duty of care, including:
Legal professionals: Such as solicitors, barristers, conveyancers, legal executives and will writers
Property and construction experts: Including architects, surveyors, engineers and project managers
Financial professionals: Such as accountants, auditors, brokers, investment managers and financial advisers
Will writers / Probate solicitors: They made errors in drafting a will (leading to unintended tax payments or beneficiaries losing out), failed to ensure proper execution resulting in a will becoming invalid, failed to preare a will in time before death or made mistakes during an estate administration
Other specialists: Including IT consultants, actuaries and environmental consultants
We also support clients by providing specialist advice on litigation and policy coverage in professional negligence matters.
Key contacts
James Berry
Partner & Head of Commercial Dispute Resolution North
How do I know if I have a potential professional negligence claim?
To bring a professional negligence claim, it is necessary to establish three components:
You were owed a duty of care: This is typically the case if you hired the professional to carry out work or provide advice, but a duty of care can arise in other circumstances if a duty is assumed towards you
They failed to meet expected standards: Their service fell below what a reasonably competent professional in their field would have provided
You suffered a loss as a result: Their mistake or poor advice caused you financial loss or harm that would not have happened otherwise
If you are unsure whether your situation meets these criteria, our team can assess your case and advise you on whether you have grounds to bring a claim.
How do I progress a claim for professional negligence?
Contact us to discuss your specific circumstances. We will listen to your situation and help you understand whether you have a potential claim.
If instructed by you, our team will review the details of your case, including any documents or evidence you have and advise you on the strength of your claim and identify a suitable funding arrangement to pursue it.
If we believe you have a valid claim, we will follow the required pre-action protocol. This usually involves sending a formal letter to the professional or their insurer, outlining the details of your claim.
Many claims are resolved through negotiation or mediation, without the need to go to court. We will handle all discussions on your behalf to seek the best possible settlement.
If a settlement can't be reached, we will guide you through the court process and represent you every step of the way.
We will keep things clear and stress-free, so you always know what's happening and what to expect.
Our successful professional negligence cases
We've helped clients across a wide range of industries resolve complex professional negligence disputes. These examples reflect the breadth of our experience and our commitment to achieving the best possible outcomes for our clients. Here are just a few examples of how we've made a difference:
Helped resolve a high-value dispute involving construction issues with a basement project. We acted for a client in claims against two professionals and a contractor, reaching a successful outcome through mediation.
Represented a lender in a major case involving alleged mortgage fraud on a London property. We pursued claims against the surveyors and solicitors involved, securing a favourable settlement before the case went to trial.
Supported a client in a professional negligence claim following a serious road traffic accident. The case involved complex legal and medical issues, but we achieved a positive settlement through mediation.
Acted for a client in a claim against a national law firm and a senior barrister for mishandling court proceedings. We secured a significant settlement after issuing legal proceedings.
Advised on claims against accountants and actuaries who had provided incorrect advice on investments, company accounts and pension arrangements.
Assisted a major insurance company with two related professional indemnity claims. Our advice helped them resolve one case and successfully transfer the other to a different insurer.
Represented a client in a claim against structural engineers whose miscalculations caused serious issues with mechanical equipment. We secured a significant settlement after issuing legal proceedings and prior to the hearing of a Costs and Case Management Conference.
Professional negligence claims FAQs
Our fees, disbursements and expenses will vary depending on the nature, complexity and value of the claim and so we will need to give you a bespoke fee estimate for the work we undertake for you, which may be broken down into stages of work.
We can also talk you through your funding options, including contingent and conditional fee agreements and After the Event insurance where appropriate, so you can make an informed decision without financial pressure.
Many professional negligence claims are resolved through negotiation or mediation, without the need for a court hearing. However, if court proceedings are issued, you should be prepared to attend a trial. We will guide you through every step and represent you throughout that process.
In most cases, you have six years from the date the negligence occurred to bring a claim. In some situations, this might be extended, for example, if you only became aware of the issue later. It is best to seek legal advice as soon as possible to avoid missing important deadlines.
Yes. You can still bring a claim even if you have stopped working with the professional or business involved. What matters is whether they owed you a duty of care at the time the professional negligence occurred.
That is not uncommon and most professionals (and their insurers) will initially deny liability. We will gather evidence to support your case and handle all communication with the other side. If needed, we will bring in independent experts to assess whether the service you received fell below acceptable standards.
Absolutely. We regularly act for businesses that have suffered financial loss due to negligent advice or services from other professionals, such as accountants, solicitors or consultants. We will help you assess the impact and pursue compensation where appropriate.
Why choose our professional negligence claims solicitors?
When you work with us, you're in expert hands. Here's why clients across wide-ranging sectors including finance, hospitality, leisure, property and more, throughout the UK trust us with their professional negligence claims:
Many of our professional negligence lawyers are recognised by The Legal 500 and Chambers & Partners as leaders in their field
We have over 1,300 legal experts across 12 offices throughout the UK
We are proud recipients of industry accolades and listed in The Times Best Law Firms 2026
We take a joined-up approach, drawing on the expertise of colleagues across our full-service firm when your case needs it
Our deep experience means we can guide you through the process efficiently, with clear advice at every stage
We leverage software solutions, including AI and technology assisted review (TAR), to manage large-scale disclosure exercises efficiently and cost-effectively
We actively manage your case from day one, working to resolve it as quickly and cost-effectively as possible
We're fully authorised and regulated by Solicitors Regulation Authority in England and Wales and the Law Society of Scotland
Contact us today to discuss your claim with a specialist near you, whether that's face-to-face, over the phone on 0330 100 1014 or via video call.
Our accreditations
Our professional negligence team is recognised in leading legal directories, reflecting our commitment to delivering exceptional results for our clients.
Testimonials
"Good use of technology in sharing documents. Response time is very good, I also have a team of 3 people, all of whom are approachable, proactive a...
The Legal 500, 2026
"Freeths is a very strong firm with clients' interests always close to heart. The team achieved great results and were very professional and effici...
Chambers & Partners, 2026
"Freeths is a wonderful team. Communication between all involved with the matter was on point and the process was super efficient."
Chambers & Partners, 2026
"They are one of the firms with national reach that can offer genuine professional negligence expertise in more significant disputes."
The Legal 500, 2025
"Greater depth of experience than might be expected in an office of this size."
The Legal 500, 2022
"They are very responsive and efficient. Their work is always in good order."
Chambers & Partners, 2022
Meet our team
Sarah Foster
Oxford Office Managing Partner & Divisional Head of Private Client Services
James Berry
Partner & Head of Commercial Dispute Resolution North
Richard Coates
Partner & National Head of Automotive
Mark Keeley
Partner – National Head of Private Client Dispute Resolution
Andrew Dashwood-Begg
Managing Associate
Contact us today
If you believe you have suffered a loss due to professional negligence, our experienced team is ready to help. Contact us today to discuss your situation and take the first step towards resolving your claim.
Get in touch
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