Professional Negligence: Making a claim against your legal advisor
If you have received ‘substandard’ advice or service from a solicitor or barrister, which has caused you loss, you may have the right to make a claim for financial compensation.
All legal advisors, whether they are solicitors, barristers or legal executives, owe their clients a common law duty of care. They will also often have a contractual relationship with their clients as well.
Was the service provided substandard?
To be classed as ‘substandard’ the service provided by your legal advisor must be deemed so, as judged by those professionals claiming to have the same skill set, i.e their fellow legal professionals.
In the case of solicitors, their standards of professional behaviour are set out within the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) Code of Conduct for Solicitors. So, this can prove a useful source of preliminary information where you believe you may have a case.
It should be noted however, that receiving a poor service does not always equate to professional negligence. In order to pursue a case, you will also have to establish that you have suffered a financial loss as a result of poor legal advice or representation.
Possible reasons to claim against your legal advisor
Claims against your legal advisor can arise in a variety of circumstances. For example:
- The provision of incorrect legal advice;
- Failure to adhere to strict Court deadlines;
- Allowing a claim to be struck out;
- Failing to give comprehensive advice with regards to property transactions.
Call us now
For expert advice on the application the law relating to professional negligence, please feel free to contact our team on 020 3923 0888 or 020 3923 0888.
If you prefer you can also submit your details 24/7 via our online enquiry form. Once received we will carry out a free pre-assessment of the viability of your claim and respond to you within 48 hours by phone, email or text.
