Overview

Barristers are trusted to provide expert legal advice and skilled advocacy. When that trust is broken through mistakes or poor service, the consequences can be significant. Missed court deadlines, flawed advice, or inadequate representation can be costly resulting in financial hardship and/ or reputational damage.

We specialise in advising and representing clients when pursuing professional negligence claims. With a leading professional negligence team ranked in the legal directories, we have the expertise and track record securing the best possible outcome.


What is barrister negligence?

There are a number of situations where a barrister may have been negligent. Negligence occurs when a barrister fails to meet the standard of care expected of a reasonably competent professional, and that failure causes loss to their client.

This can happen in many ways, such as:

  • Failing to properly advise negligently drafting documents
  • Missing critical deadlines, such as limitation periods
  • Mishandling court advocacy or cross-examination
  • Overlooking key evidence or failing to properly advise on settlement

Not every mistake amounts to negligence, but where a barrister’s errors have directly caused you financial or personal loss, you may have grounds for a professional negligence claim.


Why choose us to handle your barrister negligence claim?

Choosing the right solicitor to handle a professional negligence claim is crucial. Clients choose us because we offer:

  • Specialist expertise: Our professional negligence team is tier 1 ranked in the Legal 500 and has acted in many successful barrister negligence claims.
  • Proven results: We have secured substantial settlements for both individuals and businesses affected by poor barrister advice or representation.
  • Clear communication: We explain your options in plain English and keep you updated at every stage.
  • Client-first approach: We tailor our strategy to your needs, focusing on achieving fair compensation as efficiently as possible.

Key contact

Abigail Flanagan

Partner
Abigail Flanagan joined the dispute resolution team in 2005 and became a Partner in May 2022. Abbie specialises in procurement, professional negligence claims (mainly against solicitors, accountancy practitioners and other finance professionals), general commercial litigation matters (including warranty, contractual and director/shareholder disputes) and insolvency matters.

Your questions answered

Yes. If you have suffered financial loss because of negligent advice or representation, you may be entitled to compensation.

You must show that the professional owed you a duty of care, that they breached that duty, and that you suffered a loss as a result. For example, if a solicitor misses a deadline and your case is struck out, that loss can be linked to their negligence. We’ll help you gather the right evidence to prove your case.

There are time limits that apply to bringing a claim in professional negligence. Generally, if you wish to pursue a professional negligence claim it must be brought within six years from the date of the breach of contract (in a claim for breach of contract), or within six years from the date when the damage is suffered (in a negligence claim). However, these time limits can vary depending on various factors such as but not limited to, when a claimant ought to have become aware of the negligence.

The rules relating to limitation can be complex and full of pitfalls. Bringing your claim within the relevant “limitation” period is the essential first step to bringing a successful claim. It is therefore important to seek legal advice as early as possible to ensure that you are able to bring a claim.

You can bring claims against any professional, such as; solicitors, barristers, accountants, auditors, surveyors, valuers, financial advisers, architects, engineers, and patent or trademark attorneys. If a professional’s advice fell below the reasonable standard and caused you financial loss, you may have grounds to claim.

Many claims are resolved through negotiation or mediation under the Pre-Action Protocol. Court is only needed if settlement isn’t possible, but most cases settle before trial.

If you’re unsure if you have a claim, we can review your documents, explain if negligence occurred, and advise on your options.

Next steps

We’re here to get things moving. Drop a message to one of our experts and we’ll get straight back to you.

Call us: 033 3016 2222

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