The Legal 500 UK 2019 > South East > Insurance > Professional negligence recommended Law firms, Lawyers

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- Katherine Gregory - Clyde & Co LLP

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Clyde & Co LLP's clients are quick to praise the professional negligence practice for its 'top-quality performance; its service regularly exceeds clients' expectations and solutions always take into account technical and pragmatic considerations'. The team in Oxford, which forms part of the firm's industry-leading national practice, handles the full range of professional negligence cases involving all major professions, including financial advisers, construction professionals, and lawyers. Tony Nurse-Marsh ('sharp as a knife and uncannily insightful') heads the regional practice and has wide-ranging expertise in claims involving solicitors, construction professionals and accountants, among other professionals; he also handles cases involving emerging markets, coverage disputes, and fire-related cases. Other key figures include Clive Brett, who regularly acts for solicitors in regulatory investigations; Jim Taylor, who heads the Oxford team's dedicated claims handling unit; and Katherine Gregory, who has extensive experience in construction-related cases.

Cripps LLP is 'a well-established regional firm adept at handling claims'. The principally claimant-focused professional negligence practice handles claims against solicitors, surveyors, accountants, financial advisers and architects, but also acts for defendants, particularly solicitors in Solicitors Indemnity Fund run-off cases. Russell Simpson heads the practice, which was joined in 2017 by Pradeep Oliver, who brings specialist expertise in financial services negligence cases, with a focus on claims arising from mis-sold or mis-managed financial arrangements including pensions, savings accounts and investments. David Morgan left the firm for an in-house position.

Dentons' well-established team has extensive experience of professional negligence matters, with clients singling out practice head Tim Constable for his 'first-class analytical brain and willingness to go the extra mile on each and every one of his cases'. The practice has more than 20 years' experience acting in professional negligence claims for a wide variety of lenders (including Royal Bank of Scotland and the Co-operative Bank) , and was recently appointed to the professional negligence panel of West Bromwich Building Society, in addition to securing re-appointment to Santander's panel. Recent work includes acting for a financial institution in multiple claims against solicitors arising from imposter fraud; representing the London Borough of Haringey in a £7m professional negligence claim against NPS Property Consultants for negligent design and contract administration services in relation to the extension of a primary school; and acting for the National House-Building Council in a claim against a consultant and architect related to the defective replacement of a five-storey glazed facade in an apartment building suffering from water ingress. Fellow practice head James Fairbairn is also recommended.

Freeths LLP's professional negligence practice is praised for its 'clear understanding of facts and legal issues, sensible legal advice, and well-drafted legal documents'. Practice head Duncan Crine 'clearly knows his stuff in this field; he is attentive to time pressures and deals with matters promptly and effectively'. Crine has more than 25 years' experience handling high-value and complex professional negligence disputes for claimants and defendants, with particular strength in cases where there is a fraud element. He leads a team that includes Sarah Foster, whose track record includes acting for insurers in defending professionals in claims against local authority employees, and Clare Bellis, who handles professional negligence cases alongside her property litigation practice. The team acts for corporates, individuals, insurers and professionals in professional negligence claims and related insurance policy coverage matters.

Womble Bond Dickinson (UK) LLP combines excellent regional strength with a strong insurance presence nationwide to provide 'the highest standard of service; clients have absolute confidence in the guidance and advice provided by the practice'. The practice has an extensive track record acting for major insurers in professional negligence claims and associated policy coverage issues concerning surveyors, architects, engineers, construction contractors, accountants, barristers, IT professionals, pension professionals and estate agents. It also has a growing reputation handling claims against digital marketing consultants, internet search providers, website designers and outsourced IT service providers. New panel appointments in 2017 included being appointed by Hiscox to handle claims under the nationwide scheme for accountants insured under the ACCA scheme, and being appointed to the Solicitors Indemnity Fund's new panel. The team in Southampton is headed by the 'extremely trustworthy and reliable' James Robins, who 'can be trusted to provide appropriate guidance'. Justin Tivey is singled out for his expertise in cyber liability issues.

Blake Morgan LLP continues to handles a range of professional negligence matters across an array of professions, including acting on behalf of lenders in claims regarding over-valuation; disputes involving pension schemes and trusts; claims against solicitors and financial advisers; and disputes related to residential property redevelopment. Richard Portlock heads the team and regularly acts for companies, trustees, not-for-profit organisations and individuals in cases involving solicitors, property professionals, financial and pension industry advisers, and insurance brokers. Other key figures include senior associate Dan Geddes, who joined in 2017 from Lester Aldridge LLP, and Stephen Cannell. Karl Cameron joined Trethowans LLP.

Mayo Wynne Baxter LLP is 'among the leading claimant firms for professional negligence nationwide', and its team in the South East is singled out for its expertise in claims relating to construction, solicitors, and banking and finance. Karim Mohamed ('very effective at relating to clients, keeping them calm, and making the litigation process as stress-free as possible') has more than 20 years' experience in professional negligence claims; he leads a team with a strong track record in claims involving solicitors, surveyors, architects and financial advisers. Recent work includes acting for a number of SMEs in claims against banks for mis-selling of long-term loans with complex financial arrangements. Helen Bell is also recommended.

Barlow Robbins LLP's professional negligence practice is praised for its ability to 'marshal the relevant issues and evidence in a case quickly and efficiently', as well as for its 'practical and commercial approach to cases, and its attention and responsiveness to clients' needs and risks'. The practice has an extensive track record acting on behalf of individuals in claims against various professionals involving conveyancing, tax advice, and will and trust drafting, among other matters. It has also been involved a number of cases involving negligent behaviour of trustees. Recent work includes acting on behalf of the parents of a prematurely born baby in a case involving allegations of professional negligence by the hospital's neo natal unit. Key figures include David Foster, whose experience includes acting as a mediator in professional negligence cases; Scott Taylor, who regularly acts for trustees, executors, beneficiaries, attorneys and court-appointed administrators; Esther Millard, who is noted for her expertise in claims against solicitors; and Lisa Green, who acts in professional negligence claims arising from contested trust and probate matters.

Charles Russell Speechlys LLP has established a strong track record representing claimants in actions against solicitors, accountants, financial advisers and construction professionals. David Savage and Stephen Burns are the key figures the firm's Guildford office; Burns focuses on the financial services sector, while Savage has a particular focus on professional negligence claims against construction professionals. Senior associate Andrew Keeley also acts in professional negligence claims against architects, surveyors and engineers, among other construction professionals. Clients include Cancer Research UK, Royal National Institute of Blind People, and Zenium Technology Partners.

Moore Blatch LLP is 'an excellent regional firm' which provides 'an overall level of service that is of a very high standard; the practice's depth of knowledge, quality of work and client relationships are very impressive'. Practice head Rob Evans is noted for his 'superb advice - he works exceptionally hard to achieve successful outcomes in complex cases'. Evans has particular expertise in claims arising from tax mitigation schedule, financial mis-selling, and matrimonial proceedings. His recent work includes acting in a claim arising from negligent advice by the client's former solicitors during their divorce proceedings. Also recommended are Mark Osgood ('an experienced, knowledgeable lawyer with a strong litigation capability'), who is noted for his track record in claims with an insolvency element; associate Andrew Reid, who regularly handles financial mis-selling claims; and Marina Clinnick, who handles claims relating to defective tax advice, negligent conveyancing, and acting for lenders in claims relating to defective security.

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