Buying or selling a home is one of the biggest financial steps most people take. Clients place enormous trust in their conveyancing solicitor to guide them and make sure the process runs smoothly. While most transactions complete without issue, mistakes do happen, and when they do, the impact can be both financially and emotionally significant.
At our firm, we regularly help clients who discover that something in their transaction was overlooked or mishandled. In this blog we will look at conveyancing negligence, and how we can help.
| What is professional negligence in conveyancing?
Professional negligence occurs when a solicitor or conveyancer does not meet the standard expected of a reasonably competent conveyancer, and that failure causes you financial loss. In conveyancing, negligence can arise in a number of ways, including:
1. Missed or misinterpreted title issues
2. Missed deadlines
3. Search failures
4. Mishandling of funds
| How can negligence affect you?
Issues often emerge long after completion, when selling, remortgaging or trying to develop the property. Clients may face:
• unexpected costs
• barriers to selling or refinancing
• disputes with lenders or neighbours
• loss of property value.
| Do you have a potential claim?
You may have grounds to explore a professional negligence claim if:
• Something went wrong in your conveyancing, and
• you suffered financial loss as a result.
Warning signs include:
• Discovering title issues you weren’t told about,
• Realising a search wasn’t carried out,
• Unexpected legal or financial burdens,
• Complications when trying to sell or remortgage.
| How we can help
Our specialist professional negligence team takes a practical, supportive approach to resolving conveyancing negligence issues. When clients come to us, we review the circumstances of the transaction in a clear and straightforward way, helping them understand what went wrong and what options are available. We manage the process on their behalf, including dealing with insurers and other parties where needed, and work towards achieving a fair and sensible outcome.
One of the advantages of working with our firm is that we also have a well‑established and highly experienced conveyancing department. This gives us valuable insight into how transactions should be handled and helps us quickly identify where things may have gone wrong in past purchases or sales. Having both specialist litigation knowledge and day‑to‑day conveyancing experience under one roof allows us to approach negligence cases with a practical understanding of the realities of property work, leading to more effective and informed support for our clients.
| A recent conveyancing negligence success
Recently, we were contacted by a client whose conveyancing solicitor failed to ensure that an existing charge was properly discharged when they purchased their property. This oversight did not come to light until the client became involuntarily involved in connected litigation involving numerous parties.
Our client told us how overwhelming the experience had been, and how relieved they felt once we stepped in to take control. We helped manage the competing issues and ultimately brought the matter to a successful resolution. The client described our team as “outstanding through what was a complex and challenging litigation matter.” Their feedback reinforced why early specialist advice is important when unexpected problems arise.
| If you believe your conveyancing solicitor was negligent
Get in touch for a confidential discussion on how we can assist. Early advice can make a significant difference, especially as time limits may apply. We’ll help you understand your options clearly and work towards the best possible outcome.
Call us on 0800 988 7756 or fill in the enquiry form and our team will call you back.
By Ed Smith and Sasha Taylor-Bolshaw
