Legal Professional Negligence Claims
When the legal professionals you trusted get it wrong - we recover what you have lost
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No win, no fee
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35+ Years' Experience
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Led by Tony Hill, Head of Professional Negligence
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Has Your Solicitor’s or Barrister's Negligence Cost You?
Solicitors and barristers occupy positions of significant trust. Whether advising on a property transaction, conducting litigation, drafting contractual documents, or representing you at trial, you place your financial wellbeing — and often your future — in their hands.
When that trust is broken through negligent advice, missed deadlines, poor preparation, or defective drafting, the consequences can be severe. Lost claims, undervalued settlements, failed transactions, and destroyed commercial relationships are not abstract risks. They are the real outcomes our clients have experienced before instructing us.
At Wealth Recovery Solicitors, we act for clients who have suffered financial loss as a result of negligence by solicitors or barristers. Our specialist team is led by Tony Hill, a solicitor with more than 35 years’ experience in high-value professional negligence and commercial litigation, including a landmark £50 million solicitors’ negligence case — one of the most significant of its kind in recent years.
If you believe your solicitor or barrister has fallen below the standard expected of a competent legal professional, and you have suffered quantifiable loss as a result, we can help.
What Is Legal Professional Negligence?
Legal professional negligence arises where a solicitor or barrister fails to meet the standard of care expected of a reasonably competent practitioner in their field, and that failure causes the client measurable financial loss.
The test is objective: would any body of competent solicitors or barristers, exercising reasonable skill and care, have acted in the same way? If the answer is no, and the client has suffered loss that would not otherwise have occurred, a professional negligence claim may well be available.
Tony Hill and the Wealth Recovery Solicitors team handle claims against both solicitors and barristers across the full spectrum of legal work, from personal injury claims, residential and commercial conveyancing, probate and through the spectrum to high-value commercial litigation and corporate retainers.
Types of Solicitor Negligence We Handle
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Conveyancing Negligence
Failures in the conduct of residential or commercial property transactions remain among the most common forms of solicitor negligence. These include failure to identify title defects, failure to report on planning restrictions, overlooked restrictive covenants, and inadequate searches. The financial consequences of negligent conveyancing can be substantial, particularly in commercial acquisitions.
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Missed Limitation Periods
Every legal claim has a statutory time limit within which proceedings must be issued. If a solicitor fails to issue proceedings before the expiry of the relevant limitation period, the client's right to claim may be extinguished entirely. These cases are frequently high in value because the loss is typically close to the full value of the underlying claim, and breach is often straightforward to establish.
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Negligent Settlement Advice
Where a solicitor advised you to accept a settlement that was materially below the true value of your claim, or failed to advise you adequately on the merits of a settlement offer, a professional negligence claim may arise. Negligent settlement advice can leave clients tens or hundreds of thousands of pounds worse off.
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Probate and Estate Administration Negligence
Errors in the administration of estates — including failure to identify assets, incorrect distributions, tax planning failures, and unnecessary delays — can result in significant financial loss to beneficiaries. We act for individuals and families who have suffered loss through negligent estate administration.
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Litigation Negligence
Where a solicitor has conducted litigation negligently — including inadequate preparation, failure to gather material evidence, missed procedural deadlines, or a fundamentally flawed case strategy — the losses can combine the value of the underlying claim with the costs of the failed proceedings.
Types of Barrister Negligence We Handle
Following the House of Lords’ decision in Arthur JS Hall & Co v Simons [2002] 1 AC 615, barristers no longer enjoy immunity from negligence claims in relation to their conduct of litigation. You have the right to bring a claim against a barrister whose negligence has caused you loss.
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Negligent Advice
Wrong, incomplete, or misleading legal advice that caused you to take — or fail to take — action resulting in financial loss. This includes negligent advice on the merits of a claim, the prospects of success, or the appropriate course of action.
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Negligent Drafting of Documents and Pleadings
Errors, omissions, or deficiencies in the drafting of legal documents — including contracts or other formal items, and court pleadings— that have led to quantifiable loss. This extends to pleadings that are defective, incorrectly formulated, or strategically flawed, resulting in the weakening or failure of your case.
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Negligent Preparation and Conduct at Trial
Failure to adequately research, prepare, or organise your case before hearing — including failure to identify key authorities, evidence, or legal arguments. Poor advocacy, failure to put your case properly, or errors of judgment during trial that materially affected the outcome are also actionable where they fall below the standard of a reasonably competent barrister.
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Why These Claims Matter - The Financial Impact of Legal Negligence
Legal professional negligence claims are frequently amongst the highest-value professional negligence matters. A missed limitation period can extinguish a claim worth hundreds of thousands of pounds. Negligent conveyancing advice on a commercial property acquisition can result in losses running into millions. A negligent settlement recommendation can leave a client significantly worse off than they should have been. Defective pleadings can result in cases being struck out entirely.
These are serious claims with serious financial consequences. They require a specialist with the expertise to assess and quantify the loss, and the willingness to see complex litigation through to conclusion.
Tony Hill and the WRS team act for businesses, partnerships, and high-net-worth individuals. We have extensive experience in mediations, arbitrations, joint settlement meetings, and appellate proceedings, and we are fully prepared to litigate where a fair settlement cannot be achieved.
Do You Have a Legal Professional Negligence Claim?
You may have a viable claim against your solicitor or barrister if any of the following apply:
- Your solicitor missed a limitation deadline and you lost the right to pursue a valuable claim
- Your conveyancing solicitor failed to identify or report a title issue, planning restriction, or defect that caused you financial loss
- You received legal advice that was wrong, incomplete, or misleading, and you acted on it to your detriment
- You were advised to settle litigation or a dispute for less than its true value
- Your solicitor failed to comply with court deadlines, resulting in your claim being struck out or materially prejudiced
- A Will was defectively prepared or an Estate was administered negligently and you have suffered loss as a beneficiary
- Your barrister was inadequately prepared for a hearing or trial
- Documents or pleadings drafted by your barrister contained errors that harmed your case
- You received a poor outcome at trial that resulted from negligent advocacy
If any of these situations apply to you, we encourage you to contact us promptly to discuss your circumstances.
Time Limits - Act Promptly
Professional negligence claims against solicitors and barristers are subject to limitation periods under the Limitation Act 1980. The primary limitation period is six years from the date of the negligent act or omission. In some circumstances, the limitation period may run from the date you first had knowledge (or ought reasonably to have had knowledge) of the negligence and its consequences.
Important: Limitation periods are strictly enforced by the courts, and each case turns on its own facts. We strongly recommend seeking advice at the earliest opportunity if you have any concern about timing. Delay can extinguish an otherwise strong claim.
Our Claims Process
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Step 1 — Free Consultation
Speak confidentially to Tony Hill or the WRS team. We assess whether you have a viable claim at no charge and with no obligation. We will give you an honest, realistic appraisal of your position.
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Step 2 — Case Investigation and Assessment
We gather the facts, review the relevant documents, analyse the retainer, the advice given, and the steps taken, and conduct a thorough assessment of both the strength and the value of your claim against the standard expected of a competent legal professional.
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Step 3 — Expert Evidence
Where required, we instruct independent legal experts to provide a formal opinion on whether the standard of care was breached. Expert evidence is a critical element in most professional negligence claims and we work with leading specialists across all relevant practice areas.
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Step 4 — Letter of Claim
We formally notify the negligent solicitor, barrister, or their professional indemnity insurers, setting out the full basis of your claim in accordance with the Professional Negligence Pre-Action Protocol.
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Step 5 — Negotiation or Litigation
We pursue the maximum possible recovery through negotiation, mediation, or — where a fair settlement cannot be achieved — court proceedings. We are fully prepared to litigate and have the resources and experience to do so effectively.
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Step 6 — Recovery
You receive the compensation you are owed. Under our No Win, No Fee arrangement, we only charge our fee when your claim succeeds.
Your Specialist — Tony Hill
Tony Hill is a solicitor with more than 35 years’ experience handling high-value professional negligence and commercial litigation matters. A graduate of the University of Oxford (MA), Tony has acted in landmark cases including a £50 million solicitors’ negligence matter arising from alleged failure to advise on planning matters, in which he successfully secured a Wasted Costs Order on behalf of the client.
Tony acts for corporate clients, partnerships, and individuals seeking redress against negligent solicitors, barristers, and law firms throughout England and Wales. He is based in Manchester and handles cases nationally.
All claims are personally overseen by Tony Hill. When you instruct Wealth Recovery Solicitors, you work directly with the specialist leading your case — not a junior associate or a call handler.
Member, The Law Society of England and Wales
Why Clients Choose Wealth Recovery Solicitors
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Specialist focus
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Proven track record
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No Win, No Fee
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Prepared to litigate
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Transparent process.
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National coverage.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can I sue my own solicitor for negligence?
Yes. Solicitors owe a duty of care to their clients under both contract and the law of tort. Where that duty has been breached and you have suffered financial loss as a result, you have the right to bring a professional negligence claim against your solicitor or their firm.
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Can I sue a barrister for negligence?
Yes. Following the decision of the House of Lords in Arthur JS Hall & Co v Simons [2002] 1 AC 615, barristers no longer have immunity from suit in relation to their conduct of litigation. You can bring a claim against a barrister whose negligence caused you loss.
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How long do I have to bring a professional negligence claim?
Many cases have a 6-year time limit from the date when the relevant breach of duty or loss occurs. Time limits can be a complicated area of law, so it’s crucial to contact us as soon as possible to avoid potential difficulties.
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What is a missed limitation period?
Every legal claim has a time limit within which proceedings must be issued. If a solicitor conducting your litigation fails to issue proceedings in time, your right to claim may be extinguished. This is one of the clearest and most common forms of solicitor negligence, and the losses are often equivalent to the full value of the underlying claim.
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What is a negligent settlement?
A negligent settlement occurs when a solicitor or barrister advises you to accept a settlement that no reasonably competent legal professional would have recommended — for example, one that significantly undervalues your claim or fails to account for a strong litigation position.
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Can I claim against a solicitor for negligent conveyancing?
Yes. Conveyancing solicitors owe a duty of care to their client. Failures to identify title defects, overlooked planning restrictions, missed covenants, or inadequate searches that cause financial loss are actionable as professional negligence.
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How long does a professional negligence claim take?
Many claims are resolved through negotiation with the solicitor’s or barrister’s professional indemnity insurer within 12 to 24 months. More complex matters, or those that proceed to trial, may take longer. We manage the process efficiently and keep you fully informed at every stage.
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Do you handle cases outside London?
Yes. Wealth Recovery Solicitors act for clients throughout England and Wales. Tony Hill is based in Manchester and handles claims nationally.
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How much does it cost?
The majority of our professional negligence claims are taken on a No Win, No Fee basis. You pay nothing unless your claim succeeds. We discuss all funding arrangements transparently at the outset so you can make an informed decision.
Important Information
In certain particular circumstances, there may be longer limitation periods available through statute or other mechanisms but the primary periods, as noted, are always to be considered.
The information on this page is for general guidance only and does not constitute legal advice. Every professional negligence claim depends on its own facts and circumstances. Limitation periods and procedural requirements vary and may be affected by factors specific to your case. Nothing on this page should be relied upon as a substitute for formal legal advice tailored to your situation.
Wealth Recovery Solicitors is authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA). Our SRA number should be verified independently via the SRA website at sra.org.uk.
“No Win, No Fee” means a conditional fee arrangement (CFA) as defined under the Courts and Legal Services Act 1990 (as amended). A success fee may be payable from your damages in the event of a successful outcome. The terms of any CFA will be explained to you in full before you agree to proceed.