When we instruct a professional, we expect that they will complete the job to the best of their ability. For the most part, this is what happens. However, mistakes do happen sometimes. When they do, the consequences can be significant, affecting businesses, property transactions and people’s finances.
Professional negligence occurs when a professional fails to meet the standard reasonably expected of them, causing loss to their client. Claims can arise against a wide range of professionals, including solicitors, barristers, surveyors, architects, accountants and financial advisers.
At Levi Solicitors, professional negligence claims are a particular area of expertise. We are ranked first in the country for Professional Negligence on ReviewSolicitors, and regularly help clients recover losses caused by professional errors.
Here are two recent examples of the work we’ve undertaken on behalf of clients.
| Property sale falls through following registration errors
Our client, a property company, was preparing to sell a property. The building had been cleared, occupiers had moved out and a buyer had been found.
However, the transaction hit an unexpected obstacle when it became apparent that the client’s former solicitors who had acted in the original purchase had made a series of significant errors when registering the property ownership.
The registration issues were complex and had to be corrected before any sale could proceed. Working alongside the firm’s specialist property colleagues, we helped resolve the registration issues.
Unfortunately, the delays caused by the registration mistakes had serious consequences. The original purchaser withdrew from the transaction, leaving our client with no option but to find a new buyer. When a sale was eventually completed, it was at a substantially reduced price.
We pursued a professional negligence claim against the solicitors responsible for the registration errors and successfully secured a significant settlement from their insurers to compensate our client for the losses suffered.
| Recovering £500,000 following a solicitor’s error
In another matter, our client owned a substantial parcel of commercial land and intended to deal with different parts of the site separately.
Our client instructed their former solicitors to sell part of the land. However, the solicitors erroneously transferred the entire plot.
The part that was transferred in error was already subject to an option, which the option holder then exercised. The purchaser sold the land on, retained the proceeds of sale and invested the funds in another property.
We acted swiftly to protect our client’s position, including securing a restriction against the purchaser’s newly acquired property to prevent it being sold while the dispute was ongoing.
We issued proceedings against both the purchaser and the solicitors involved. The case progressed close to trial, during which we secured a substantial interim payment for our client.
Ultimately, we recovered approximately £500,000 in damages and costs, together with interest, achieving an excellent outcome for the client, who recovered the vast majority of their losses.
| Could you have a professional negligence claim?
Many people do not immediately realise that losses they have suffered may have been caused by professional negligence.
If a professional’s mistake has cost you money, delayed a transaction, affected a property matter or caused a business loss, it may be worth seeking specialist advice.
Our team regularly advises individuals and businesses on professional negligence claims and can help assess whether you may have grounds to pursue compensation.
To speak to a member of the team, call us on 0800 988 7756, or complete our form and we will call you back.
