Dispute Resolution and Professional Negligence Solicitors

Last reviewed: September 2026 · EA Personal Injury Solicitors

If you have suffered financial loss because a professional — a solicitor, surveyor, accountant, financial adviser or other adviser — failed to provide services to a reasonably competent standard, you may be able to claim compensation. We favour resolving disputes through negotiation and mediation wherever possible, turning to court proceedings only where necessary.

TL;DR — Quick Summary

Key Points

Covers negligent advice or service from solicitors and other professionals
You must show a duty of care, a breach of that duty, and a resulting financial loss
We favour negotiation and mediation before court proceedings, where appropriate
Limitation periods in this area are complex — seek advice as soon as possible
SRA regulated solicitors — SRA No. 800525

What Is Professional Negligence?

Professionals — solicitors, accountants, surveyors, financial advisers, architects and others — owe their clients a duty to exercise the reasonable skill and care of a competent member of their profession. Where a professional falls below that standard and this causes you financial loss, you may be entitled to bring a professional negligence claim against them. As with any negligence claim, you must establish that a duty of care was owed, that it was breached, and that the breach caused a quantifiable loss.

Common types of dispute we handle include:

→ Professional Negligence ClaimsNegligent advice from accountants, surveyors, financial advisers and other professionals → Solicitor Negligence ClaimsClaims against a solicitor or law firm for negligent legal advice or service → Property Misrepresentation ClaimsLosses caused by false or misleading statements in a property transaction → Will and Estate DisputesContesting a will and other inheritance and estate disputes

Our Approach — Resolution Before Litigation

Court proceedings are often slow, costly and uncertain, and are rarely the best starting point for resolving a professional negligence dispute. We favour exploring all reasonable avenues of resolution first — direct negotiation with the professional or their insurer, mediation, and other forms of alternative dispute resolution (ADR) — reserving litigation for cases where a fair resolution cannot otherwise be reached, or where proceedings are necessary to protect a limitation deadline. The relevant pre-action protocols generally expect parties to consider ADR before issuing court proceedings in any event.

Time Limits

Limitation periods for professional negligence claims are more complex than for personal injury claims. The general position under the Limitation Act 1980 is six years from the date of the negligent act or advice, or three years from your date of knowledge of the relevant facts (if that expires later), subject to an overall 15-year long-stop in some cases. Because these rules depend heavily on the specific facts, it is important to seek advice promptly once you suspect something has gone wrong, rather than waiting until a problem crystallises.

Evidence in Dispute Resolution Claims

The engagement letter, contract or terms of business with the professional concerned
All correspondence, advice and documentation relevant to the matter
Evidence of the loss you have suffered as a result of the alleged negligence
Any independent expert evidence needed to establish what a reasonably competent professional would have done differently

Funding Your Claim

We discuss funding options honestly and clearly at the outset of every matter. Depending on the nature, value and prospects of your claim, this may include a conditional fee agreement (no win, no fee), a fixed fee, or an hourly rate arrangement. We will explain the options available to you before you decide whether to proceed.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is professional negligence?

Professional negligence occurs when a professional — such as a solicitor, accountant, surveyor, financial adviser or architect — fails to provide services to the standard of a reasonably competent member of that profession, and that failure causes you financial loss. To succeed, you must show the professional owed you a duty of care, breached that duty, and that the breach caused a quantifiable loss.

How is a dispute resolution claim different from a personal injury claim?

Dispute resolution claims generally concern financial loss caused by a professional's negligent advice or service, rather than physical or psychological injury. The underlying legal principles of duty, breach and causation are similar, but the evidence, valuation and procedure involved are different, often centring on documents, contracts and financial records rather than medical evidence.

Do you go straight to court, or try to resolve disputes another way first?

We generally favour exploring all reasonable avenues of resolution — negotiation, mediation and other forms of alternative dispute resolution (ADR) — before resorting to court proceedings, which are typically slower, more expensive and less certain. Court proceedings remain necessary in some cases, and pre-action protocols generally require ADR to at least be considered before proceedings are issued.

How long do I have to bring a professional negligence claim?

Generally six years from the date of the negligent act or advice, or three years from the date you had the knowledge required to bring a claim (if that is later), subject to an overall long-stop limit. Time limits in this area can be complex, so it is important to seek advice as soon as you suspect something has gone wrong.

Is no win, no fee available for dispute resolution claims?

Funding options depend on the nature and value of the claim, and are assessed on a case-by-case basis. We will discuss the most appropriate funding arrangement for your matter, which may include a conditional fee agreement, at the outset.

Published by EA Personal Injury Solicitors

Edward and Amaury Limited · SRA No. 800525

Verify the firm and its regulated people on the SRA Register. General information only; this is not legal advice.