Professional Negligence Against Other Professionals
If an actuary, IT consultant, environmental consultant or other professional has made a mistake that caused you financial loss, you may have grounds for a professional negligence claim.
Our specialist professional negligence team advises individuals and businesses on claims against actuaries, consultants and other professionals across the UK. We provide clear, practical advice to help you understand your options and pursue compensation where appropriate.
What are professional negligence claims against other professionals?
Actuaries, IT consultants, environmental consultants and other professionals are trusted by their clients, with whom they can enjoy good professional and personal relationships. You expect the service you receive to meet the standard of a reasonably competent professional.
However, mistakes can happen. When advice or services cause financial loss, you may be entitled to bring a claim against a negligent actuary, consultant or other professional.
Examples of professional negligence against other professionals
Providing wrong advice or recommendations that result in financial loss
Making errors in mathematical and/or statistical assessments, models or strategies
Making errors in data management or providing outdated hardware or software
Failing to adequately protect against cybersecurity risks
Producing wrong or inadequate reports that lead to avoidable losses
Professionals will typically have insurance, which gives some comfort to prospective claimants that they will actually recover some or all of their losses.
If you believe a negligent actuary, IT consultant, environmental consultant or another professional has caused you financial loss, our specialist professional negligence solicitors can assess your circumstances and advise on your options.
Key contacts
James Berry
Partner & Head of Commercial Dispute Resolution North
What do I need to prove in a professional negligence claim?
To bring a successful professional negligence claim against a professional, you will usually need to establish three key elements:
1. A duty of care existed
The actuary, IT consultant, environmental consultant or other professional must have owed you a duty of care. In most cases, this arises because you instructed them to provide professional services or advice.
2. That duty was breached
You will need to show that the professional failed to meet the standard expected of a reasonably competent member of their profession. This could include providing incorrect advice, overlooking important information, carrying out inadequate investigations or making errors in designs, calculations or reports.
For example, a negligent actuary may make errors in statistical assessments, while a negligent IT consultant might provide outdated software or fail to protect against cybersecurity risks.
3. The breach caused you financial loss
It is not enough to show that a mistake was made. You will also need to demonstrate that the mistake directly resulted in financial loss. These might be repair costs, reduced property value, project delays, additional construction expenses or losses arising from a failed transaction.
If you are considering suing an actuary for negligence or looking to sue an IT consultant because of mistakes that have caused financial loss, establishing this link between the professional's actions and your losses will be a crucial part of your claim.
When can I sue a professional for negligence?
If a professional has failed to meet the standard expected of their profession and that failure has caused you financial loss, you may have grounds to bring a professional negligence claim.
Professional | Examples of negligence |
Actuaries | You may be able to sue an actuary for negligence if they made errors in mathematical or statistical assessments, provided wrong advice on pension schemes, insurance reserves or risk modelling, or produced inaccurate reports that affected financial decisions. |
IT Consultants | A professional negligence claim against an IT consultant may arise where they provided outdated hardware or software, failed to adequately protect against cybersecurity risks, made errors in data management or delivered systems that were not fit for purpose. |
Environmental Consultants | Claims against environmental consultants can arise from negligent advice, errors in environmental assessments or reports, or failures to identify contamination or regulatory risks that result in financial loss or project delays. |
How do I make a professional negligence claim against a professional?
Bringing a professional negligence claim against an actuary, IT consultant, environmental consultant or other professional can feel daunting, but our team will guide you through the process.
Here is what to expect:
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 lawyer or their insurer, outlining the details of your claim.
Many professional negligence 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.
Cases of suing other professionals
Suing a biomass digester designer for negligent design relating to environmental protection and plant efficiency, in a matter valued at approximately £2 million; proceedings are ongoing.
Suing a national veterinary practice for professional negligence arising from the negligent treatment of an animal which sustained significant burns during an operation; a negotiated settlement was achieved.
Acting for a food manufacturing company in a claim against a civil engineer for the negligent design, construction and commissioning of a food processing plant in Saudi Arabia.
Defending suppliers of air conditioning and air filtration systems against claims brought by an NHS Trust alleging negligent installation in connection with a new build and a redevelopment hospital project respectively.
Defending medical insurers in relation to a range of claims brought against surgeons, including in connection with hip replacements, laser eye surgery, anaesthesia complications, incorrectly set bones, and misdiagnosis.
Defending a managed IT service provider against professional negligence and breach of contract claims brought by a further education college following a cyber security incident; a negotiated settlement was achieved.
Professional negligence claims against other professionals FAQs
In most cases, you will have six years from the date the negligence occurred. However, if you only became aware of the issue later, the time limit may run from the date you discovered it. Either way, acting sooner rather than later puts you in the strongest position, so if you are unsure, it is worth getting advice early.
Most actuaries, IT consultants, environmental consultants and other professionals carry professional indemnity insurance. While insurance does not guarantee a successful outcome, it can provide a route for recovering compensation where a claim is established and losses have been suffered.
Costs vary depending on the complexity of your case. You might have legal expenses insurance which can help you finance the claim, or we might be able to offer you a discounted conditional fee agreement (whereby you pay our rates at a discounted level in return for a success fee if we represent you successfully). We will be upfront about fees from the outset and talk you through the funding options available, so you can make an informed decision before committing to anything.
If a professional owes a duty of care to a person, it does not matter if they have not been paid or if they were acting at a discounted rate or even free of charge. However, the professional may have some arguments as to the scope of their duty or agreement with you in such a situation.
Generally, the court will try and put a claimant in the position they would have been but for the professional's negligence, i.e. to compensate the claimant for the loss they have actually suffered. The amount of money you recover will therefore depend on the loss or potential loss you have suffered.
Why choose Freeths for your professional negligence?
Specialist expertise in professional negligence disputes: Our team has extensive experience helping clients pursue claims against actuaries, IT consultants, environmental consultants and other professionals
Recognised by leading legal directories: Our dispute resolution team is ranked in The Legal 500 and Chambers & Partners, reflecting the quality of advice and representation we provide
Support from a full-service law firm: Professional negligence claims can involve technical issues spanning financial services, technology, environmental regulation and commercial matters. Where needed, we can draw expertise from over 1,300 specialist lawyers across the firm operating from 12 UK offices
Clear advice from the outset: We will explain the strengths of your claim, the potential risks and the likely costs involved, helping you make informed decisions throughout the process
A practical, results-focused approach: Whether through negotiation, alternative dispute resolution or court proceedings, we will work to achieve the best possible outcome for your circumstances
Trusted advisors: We're regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority in England and Wales and the Law Society of Scotland, so you know your claim is in trusted hands
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
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"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
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