Professional Negligence Compensation Calculators

Solicitor, Accountant and Surveyor Negligence Claims

Solicitor Negligence

Solicitor negligence claims may arise from problems involving conveyancing, litigation, contracts or professional advice. A financial assessment depends on what would probably have occurred if the relevant legal services had been performed correctly.

Accountant Negligence

Accountant negligence may involve financial reporting, tax advice or accounting services. Not every tax liability is a recoverable loss: tax that would have been payable in any event needs to be distinguished from additional losses caused by a breach.

Surveyor Negligence

Surveyor disputes can involve valuations, property defects or advice provided during a purchase. The correct valuation of loss depends on the duty undertaken, the relevant valuation evidence and legally recoverable consequences.

Differences in Methodology

Each profession presents a different financial calculation. For example, a solicitor's missed litigation opportunity cannot be valued in the same way as a property valuation error or unnecessary accounting penalty.

Is There a Time Limit for Professional Negligence Claims?

Civil claims have strict time limits. The relevant deadline depends on the legal cause of action and when that cause arose.

Six-Year General Limitation Rules

In England and Wales, many claims founded on simple contract or ordinary negligence are subject to a six-year limitation period. The period is not necessarily calculated from the date the claimant discovers the error.

Latent Damage Rules

In qualifying negligence actions involving latent damage other than personal injury, section 14A of the Limitation Act 1980 can provide a later three-year period from relevant knowledge, subject to conditions.

Fifteen-Year Longstop

Section 14B contains an overriding fifteen-year limit for certain negligence actions. The scope and exceptions require careful legal assessment.

Legal Ombudsman Complaints

A complaint about legal services is different from a civil negligence claim. The Legal Ombudsman generally applies one-year awareness rules and a six-month period after a qualifying final response.

Complaints, Ombudsman Services and Civil Compensation Claims

A professional services complaint does not always need to become court litigation. Some professions have internal complaint procedures, regulatory bodies or alternative dispute resolution arrangements.

Complaints Against Solicitors

Eligible legal service complaints may be considered by the Legal Ombudsman, usually after giving the service provider an opportunity to respond. The available remedies and deadlines differ from a civil negligence claim.

Complaints Against Accountants

An accountant's relevant professional body may consider regulatory or disciplinary concerns. For example, ICAEW does not operate a general scheme to compensate clients for professional negligence, although specific limited schemes exist.

Complaints Against Surveyors

RICS-regulated firms must maintain complaint handling arrangements and provide access to appropriate alternative dispute resolution. RICS disciplinary investigations do not themselves award civil compensation.

Civil Damages Claims

An unresolved dispute involving a legally recoverable loss may require a civil claim. Before proceeding, the correct liability, limitation and pre-action requirements should be considered.