When trusted professionals let you down
You relied on expert advice. Instead, you faced financial loss, missed opportunities, or serious consequences. When professionals fail to meet their duty of care, you deserve compensation—and accountability.
Our professional negligence lawyers in Derby, Leicester and Nottingham cut through complexity to deliver results. We challenge solicitors, accountants, financial advisers, surveyors, architects, and insurance brokers who fail to deliver the standards you were entitled to expect.
Call 0800 024 1976 or complete our online enquiry form for expert legal advice.
Contact Us TodayRelated services
- Accountant Negligence Claims
- Architect Negligence Claims
- Financial Adviser Negligence Claims
- Financial Services, Pensions & Banking Negligence Claims
- Insurance Broker Negligence Claims
- Solicitor Negligence Claims Solicitors
- Surveyor Negligence Claims Solicitors
- Conveyancing Negligence Claims Solicitors
Professional negligence claims we handle
Our professional negligence solicitors pursue compensation across all professional sectors:
- Solicitor and barrister negligence – Poor legal advice, missed court deadlines, failed litigation, inadequate will drafting
- Conveyancing negligence – Property transaction errors, failed searches, title defects, delayed completions
- Accountant negligence – Incorrect tax advice, accounting errors, missed tax reliefs, poor financial planning
- Financial adviser negligence – Unsuitable investment advice, pension transfer failures, mis-selling
- Surveyor negligence – Missed structural defects, inaccurate valuations, incomplete reports
- Architect negligence – Design flaws, planning failures, budget overruns, construction defects
- Insurance broker negligence – Inadequate cover, policy failures, claims mishandling
- Financial services and banking negligence – Investment failures, pension mis-selling, banking errors
Each claim requires forensic analysis. We identify where standards slipped, quantify your losses, and build compelling cases for compensation.
How professional negligence claims work
1. Initial case assessment – We examine your circumstances to establish if you have grounds for a claim. You need three elements: a breach of professional duty, causation (the breach caused your loss), and quantifiable financial damage. Our professional negligence lawyers provide clear guidance on your prospects within days.
2. Evidence gathering – We collect all relevant documentation—correspondence, contracts, advice given, financial records. Where necessary, we instruct independent experts to assess whether the professional’s conduct fell below acceptable standards. This forensic approach strengthens your position.
3. Pre-action protocol – Before court proceedings, we send a detailed Letter of Claim to the professional or their insurer. This outlines the negligence, your losses, and the compensation sought. Many claims settle at this stage, avoiding litigation costs and delays.
4. Negotiation and resolution – Our team excels at negotiations, mediations, and arbitrations. We push for maximum compensation while exploring the most cost-effective route to resolution. If settlement proves impossible, we’re experienced court advocates ready to litigate.
5. Court proceedings (if required) – When alternative dispute resolution fails, we issue proceedings and advance your case through the courts. Our professional negligence solicitors prepare comprehensive evidence, manage expert witnesses, and present persuasive arguments to secure the compensation you deserve.
Why choose Nelsons for professional negligence claims
- Recognised expertise: The Legal 500 ranks our professional negligence team among the country’s leading specialists. This independent recognition reflects our proven track record in securing compensation for clients facing losses from professional failures.
- Forensic approach: Professional negligence claims demand precision. We quickly identify critical issues, assess claim value accurately, and provide realistic timeframes and cost projections. No guesswork—just incisive analysis that moves your case forward efficiently.
- Client-focused service: You’ve already suffered from one professional relationship gone wrong. We communicate clearly, avoid jargon, and keep you informed throughout. Our approach combines expert legal knowledge with genuine understanding of the frustration and stress you’re experiencing.
- Multiple resolution routes: Not every case needs court. We’re skilled in negotiations, mediation, and arbitration—resolving claims quickly and cost-effectively when possible. When litigation proves necessary, our court advocacy experience ensures strong representation.
- Transparent Fee Structures: We offer competitive pricing with clarity from day one. Where appropriate, we provide conditional fee agreements (no win, no fee), removing financial barriers to justice. You’ll always understand costs before proceeding.
Ready to pursue your professional negligence claim? Don’t let professional failures define your future. Our expert team in Derby, Leicester and Nottingham will assess your case, advise on your prospects, and fight for the compensation you deserve. Call 0800 024 1976 or complete our online enquiry form for a confidential initial consultation.
Time limits apply to professional negligence claims—typically six years from the negligent act or three years from when you discovered it. Contact us today to protect your rights.
Meet the team
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Daniel BrumptonPartner & Solicitor
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Chris ChanPartner & Solicitor
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Simon KeyPartner & Solicitor
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Chris ElsePartner & Solicitor
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Anika ZahidAssociate & Solicitor
Testimonials…
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Professional Negligence Solicitors FAQS
Below, we have answered some frequently asked questions concerning professional negligence solicitors
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Do I have grounds for a professional negligence claim?
You may have a claim if you received service below the standard expected of a reasonably competent professional in that field, suffered financial loss as a direct result, and that loss was a foreseeable consequence of the professional’s failure. Our professional negligence lawyers can assess your circumstances within days.
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What time limits apply to professional negligence claims?
Generally, you have six years from the date of the negligent act or omission. Where you couldn’t reasonably have known about the negligence immediately, you may have three years from discovery, subject to a 15-year long-stop date. Don’t delay—contact us to confirm your position.
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How much compensation can I claim?
Compensation aims to restore you to the position you’d have occupied had the negligence not occurred. This includes direct financial losses, costs of rectifying problems, lost opportunities, and in some cases, compensation for significant distress. Each claim requires individual assessment of all losses suffered.
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Will my case go to court?
Many professional negligence claims settle through negotiation, mediation, or arbitration. Court proceedings become necessary only when settlement proves impossible. We always explore alternative dispute resolution first—it’s typically faster and more cost-effective.
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How do I prove professional negligence?
Success requires establishing three elements: the professional owed you a duty of care, they breached that duty by falling below acceptable standards, and this breach directly caused you quantifiable loss. We gather evidence, instruct expert witnesses where needed, and build compelling cases that prove each element.
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Can I claim if the professional admitted their mistake?
An admission helps but doesn’t guarantee success. You must still prove the error caused your loss and quantify that loss accurately. However, admissions significantly strengthen your negotiating position and often lead to faster settlements.
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What if the professional is no longer trading?
You can often still claim through their professional indemnity insurance or compensation schemes operated by professional bodies. Our team investigates all available routes to recovery, ensuring you’re not left without recourse simply because a firm has closed.
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How long do professional negligence claims take?
Simple cases may resolve within 6-12 months. Complex claims involving multiple experts and substantial losses can take 18-24 months or longer. We provide realistic timeframes after initial assessment and work to resolve your claim as efficiently as possible.
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What are your fees for professional negligence claims?
Costs vary with case complexity. We offer transparent pricing from the outset and, where appropriate, conditional fee agreements (no win, no fee). You’ll understand all costs and funding options before proceeding—no surprises.
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Can I claim for verbal advice that proved negligent?
Yes, but these claims present additional challenges in proving what was said. Contemporaneous notes, follow-up emails, or other documentation supporting your version of events become crucial evidence. We assess the strength of available evidence before advising whether to proceed.
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What evidence should I gather?
Collect all correspondence with the professional, contracts or engagement letters, advice given (written or notes of verbal discussions), financial records showing losses, and any other relevant documentation. The more evidence you preserve, the stronger your claim. We’ll guide you on specific evidence needed for your case.
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How do professional negligence lawyers charge?
Most professional negligence solicitors offer various funding options including traditional hourly rates, fixed fees for defined work, or conditional fee agreements where you pay only if successful. We discuss all options during your initial consultation, ensuring you choose the most suitable arrangement.
Get in touch
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