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Professional negligence
Leading individuals
Next generation lawyers

Professional negligence

1
- Bond Dickinson LLP (Southampton)
- Clyde & Co LLP (Oxford)
- Cripps LLP (Tunbridge Wells)
- Dentons (Milton Keynes)
2
- Blake Morgan LLP (Southampton)
- Freeths LLP (Oxford)
- Mayo Wynne Baxter LLP (Brighton)
- Simpson Millar LLP (Kingston upon Thames)
3
- Barlow Robbins LLP (Guildford)
- Charles Russell Speechlys LLP (Guildford)
- Moore Blatch LLP (Southampton)
- Stevens & Bolton LLP (Guildford)
- Thomson Snell & Passmore (Tunbridge Wells, Greenhithe)

Leading individuals

1
- Clive Brett - Clyde & Co LLP
- Duncan Crine - Freeths LLP
- James Fairbairn - Dentons
- Tony Nurse-Marsh - Clyde & Co LLP
- James Robins - Bond Dickinson LLP
- Jim Taylor - Clyde & Co LLP

Next generation lawyers

1
- Belinda Fox - Bond Dickinson LLP
- Katherine Gregory - Clyde & Co LLP
- Karl Cameron - Blake Morgan LLP
- David Morgan - Cripps LLP

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According to clients, Bond Dickinson LLP fields a team of ‘industry experts’ that ‘provides the full package – commerciality, regional offices and competitive rates’, and which is praised for its ‘ability to understand the specific business needs of each client and take them into consideration when offering advice’. The practice covers the full spectrum of professional risks, including surveyor, engineer, accountant, barrister and estate agent liability, and also regularly advises on director and officer-related matters and cyber risks. Leading figures include the ‘highly experienced’ James Robins, who provides ‘pragmatic advice’ and specialises in professional indemnity insurance matters; Justin Tivey, who has extensive experience handling negligence matters involving solicitors, and also advises on cyber risks in the insurance sector; and Australia-qualified Belinda Fox, who defends accountants, surveyors, brokers and construction professionals in high-profile disputes. In a recent highlight, Robins and Fox acted for Countrywide Surveyors in a claim brought by Webb Resolutions regarding an alleged overvaluation of a residential property, where the firm successfully secured liability for the client’s costs following abandoned High Court proceedings. Other notable clients include AIG Europe, Bar Mutual Indemnity Fund, Partner Re and Liberty Mutual Insurance.

Clyde & Co LLP provides a ‘City-quality service at very reasonable rates’, dealing with cases involving all major professions including accountants, lawyers, real estate consultants and IT and TMT professionals, along with a number of emerging professions such as aircraft inspectors, carer suppliers and auctioneers. Tony Nurse-Marsh heads the regional professional indemnity practice and advises on claims in relations to solicitors, financial consultants and other professionals; he also has notable expertise in cases related to fire damage. Other key practitioners include Clive Brett (‘vastly experienced with excellent judgement’), who has extensive expertise in matters of policy coverage and acting for solicitors in regulatory investigations; Jim Taylor, who advises on claims and coverage disputes across both traditional and emerging professions; and Katherine Gregory, who has notable expertise in construction-related professional indemnity. Philip Evans is also a name to note; his practice focuses on accountants, engineers and management consultants, often in relation to fraudulent transactions.

Cripps LLP’s ‘highly regarded’ practice is ‘one of the leading departments for claimant professional liability work’. The team is known for its expertise in property and finance-related cases, and also receives a strong flow of claims related to solicitor, surveyor, accountant and architect negligence. In a recent highlight, the firm acted for the plaintiffs in a case against EAR Sheppard, a structural and civil engineer consultancy company, which related to advice provided prior to a purchase of residential premises where the property had to be demolished due to defects not advised upon by the defendant. The firm successfully secured full damages and indemnity costs on behalf of the client. Russell Simpson heads the practice and is ‘well regarded in the market’, with significant expertise in complex professional negligence cases. Associate David Morgan is ‘very sympathetic, and has an easy-going manner when dealing with clients’. Also recommended are Gemma Pearmain, who ‘takes a practical approach to all her cases’, and Nitej Davda, who is the name to note for property and construction-related disputes.

Dentons is ‘highly experienced in all aspects of construction and engineering disputes’; the team ‘is able to manage fact-heavy cases with ease, responding quickly to all client queries and dealing efficiently with aggressive tactics from opponents’. Clients include a strong base in the financial services space including Allied Irish Bank, The Co-Operative Bank and Barclays. Tim Constable (a ‘fine litigator’ who is ‘able to cut through complex issues without difficulty’ and ‘understands the value of taking a forensic and reasoned approach to problems’) represented Barclays in a matter concerning a negligent valuation of several commercial properties; he successfully secured a deduction in damages for contributory negligence. In another work highlight, the ‘formidable’ James Fairbairn represented Haringey Council in a £7m professional negligence claim against NPS Property Consultants for negligent design and contract administration with regards to the extension of a primary school. Helen Simpson heads the commercial disputes department, and frequently represents individuals, corporates, lenders and insurers in high-value professional negligence claims.

Blake Morgan LLP continues to handle a strong flow of claims in relation to property professionals, and has also acted in claims in specialist areas such as insurance, employment, financial institutions and medical negligence. Other areas of expertise include claims on behalf of lenders, and cases related to complex pension schemes, inadequate tax planning and financial advice and trusts and regulatory matters. Richard Portlock heads the practice, and has notable experience handling cases involving solicitors, property professionals, insurance brokers and financial and pension industry advisers; his client base includes a mix of insurers, corporate companies, trustees and individuals. Senior associate Karl Cameron acts for SMEs, individuals and mortgage lenders on a range of high value claims, and advising institutional clients on risk and policy coverage issues.

Freeths LLP has ‘a very good depth of knowledge in the area of professional negligence and the difficulties that can arise with various parties’. The team handles a mix of claimant and defendant matters in the financial and property sectors, and also has strong expertise in emerging professions and D&O liability insurance. In a recent highlight, the firm represented Travelers International Insurance Company in two related solicitors negligence claims regarding property transactions, successfully securing a favourable summary judgment with costs; it also represented the client in a case arising from a decision not to pursue a claim against an NHS Trust. Practice head Duncan Crine has ‘a cool head’ and ‘is a class act’. He is ably assisted by Sarah Foster, who specialises in probate disputes and regularly handles claims against local authority employees; Clare Bellis, who is ‘a strong, sensible and capable litigator’ with significant property litigation expertise; and Angela Bowman, who specialises in probate and charity-related claims.

The ‘solid team’ at Mayo Wynne Baxter LLP acts primarily on the claimant side, and has significant experience handling financial mis-selling claims. The firm’s client base ranges from Plcs to individual professionals, and the team works closely with its property litigation and dispute resolution departments to handle claims against solicitors, surveyors, accountants and architects. Recent work includes acting for two individuals in a dispute regarding complex garden design, construction work and structural landscaping, where the architectural design was found to be structurally flawed. Key figure Karim Mohamed is ‘a reassuring presence for clients’, ‘has formidable and tactical approaches to litigation’, and is ‘particularly good at financial services claims and claims against lawyers’. Helen Bell is ‘a strong presence in the team, particularly in property-related matters where she is extremely knowledgeable’. Barry Davis is the key name to note in the Eastbourne office.

The ‘honest, hardworking and knowledgeable’ group at Simpson Millar LLP ‘genuinely puts the interests of clients above its own’ and ‘is very good at instilling confidence’. The firm regularly advises on complex and high-value claims against solicitors, accountants, surveyors and architects. The ‘excellent’ Andrea Rasmussen heads the department, and is ‘great at working closely with counsel and experts to quickly identify the strengths and weaknesses in a claim, and to develop an appropriate and effective strategy’.

The ‘well-led team’ at Barlow Robbins LLP is ‘particularly strong in acting for high-net-worth individual in claims against banks and claims against negligent trustees’. The group is ‘able to give clear and consistent support whenever there is a lack of clarity in the legal issues’. In a recent highlight, the firm represented the parents of a baby diagnosed with spinal muscular dystrophy, where the hospital applied to withdraw treatment from the child. The ‘technically sound’ David Foster also acted for the daughter of a financier on probate matters and will validity, a matter totalling £50m in value. Other leading figures include Esther Millard, who has ‘a real understanding of how professional indemnity matters interplay with the underlying subject matter’; Scott Taylor, who is ‘particularly good in probate and trust disputes involving professional negligence’; and Lisa Green, who ‘makes every effort to ensure that her clients achieve the best possible outcomes’. Simon Fulford handles professional negligence claims with a property angle.

Charles Russell Speechlys LLP’s ‘excellent practice’ is ‘particularly good on the private client side of disputes’, acting for a range of claimants in actions against solicitors, accountants, financial advisers and construction professionals. Stephen Burns predominantly handles business disputes, and also has substantial experience in the technology, telecoms and healthcare sectors. David Savage is ‘the kind of litigator you want on your side – good with the law, a fantastic thinker and able to engage in commercial bargaining with the other side’; he is noted for his expertise in construction-related claims. Senior associate Andrew Keeley is the other key figure, regularly handling negligence claims against architects, quantity surveyors and engineers. Active clients include Cancer Research UK, the Royal National Institute of Blind People, and Zenium Technology Partners.

Moore Blatch LLP has significant expertise handling complex group actions arising from secured lending, and retains a strong base of lender clients. The firm also advises on actions against solicitors, valuers, high street banks and public bodies, and has strong experience across the construction, professional services, real estate and financial sectors. Recent work includes acting for an individual in a claim for losses arising from negligent advice from former solicitors who had advised the client on complex divorce proceedings. It also represented various football leagues in a £6m claim concerning a negligent valuation of a business. Key practitioners include Mark Osgood, who is noted for his expertise in actions arising from tax mitigation schemes and insolvency, and Rob Evans, who handles financial mis-selling claims.

Stevens & Bolton LLP advises on claims against firms of solicitors, accountants, surveyors and tax advisers, and has significant experience in the construction and engineering sectors. Highlights have included advising on a claim against solicitors when a sale and purchase agreement failed to reflect the agreed terms; advising on a claim against an investment bank in relation to transfer of savings to an offshore trust; and handling a claim against an accountant firm in relation to negligent audits. Dispute resolution partner Andrew Quick is the name to note.

Specialist claimant firm Thomson Snell & Passmore is ‘extremely good on all fronts’, and is ‘able to tackle major defence-oriented firms habitually retained by insurers on equal terms’. The firm has notable expertise handling claims against solicitors, and acts for businesses and private individuals in compensation recovery for a range of matters, including residential property purchases, land development, divorce and ancillary relief proceedings. In a recent highlight, the team acted for an individual in a claim against solicitors regarding failure to issue an inheritance to an autistic child. The ‘tenacious and determined’ Nicholas Horton heads the practice, which includes Julie Gabay and Mark Steggles.

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