News & Blogs

When a conveyancing mistake is made are you entitled to claim compensation? Buying a house or a flat is probably the single most expensive purchase you will ever make,…

My solicitor messed up my divorce. Can I claim compensation? Divorce is never a pleasant experience, so when it goes wrong the effect can be devastating..   As with most…

We win compensation for our client after her previous solicitors give up on the case We have successfully recovered compensation for an accountant's mistake. But what made this case…

Claims for wrong financial advice If you want to look after your hard-earned money then professional financial planning is an absolute must.  You may need advice on where to invest…

Professional Negligence solicitor, Emma Slade, looks at construction projects gone wrong & the role of Project Managers There is a multitude of reasons why a construction project may go…

Case study of a successful No Win, No Fee surveyor claim We specialise in No Win, No Fee surveyor claims. Call us for a free case assessment on 0808…

Case study of a successful compensation claim made because a Homebuyers survey missed asbestos Our client instructed a surveyor to carry out a Homebuyers survey on a property he…

Case study of an ongoing claim for compensation for a bad survey We were recently approached by a gentleman who had purchased a property which turned out to be…

One of the most frequently asked questions we receive is, 'How much compensation can I claim for professional negligence?' In most instances it is pretty straightforward to identify the…

Is tax payable on compensation? Emma Slade, a specialist professional negligence solicitor, considers this crucial question in relation to CGT “In this world nothing can be said to be certain,…

Our professional negligence team are often asked, 'can I sue my divorce solicitor?' The simple answer is that a claim can be brought against your divorce solicitor if they…

Is it worth all the stress? Claiming compensation for stress and inconvenience in a professional negligence case Ask any professional negligence lawyer what their FAQs are and undoubtedly queries…

Our professional negligence team are regularly asked, 'Can I sue my injury solicitor?' In this article Emma Slade looks at one particularly common cause for complaint; the injury settlement…

When we are asked, 'Can I sue a solicitor for negligence?' there are 5 important questions that need to be considered: 1. Has the solicitor been negligent? 2. Have…

Compensation Claims for Limitation Date Negligence The limitation period is the length of time you have to issue a legal claim in court before the case becomes statute barred.…

If you are contemplating a claim because your solicitor has made a mistake, then you need to consider a number of important legal issues, and steps to take, that…

If you are making a claim against a surveyor it is important to identify the key facts of the case at the outset. This will help you to establish…

When making a negligence claim against a solicitor it is important to identify as early as possible the key facts of the case. This will help you and your…

WALKING THE LINE: balancing the duty to the client and the court. In another instalment of Emma Slade’s blog, she discusses the probity of the legal profession in the…

In the context of solicitors negligence claims, how important is a breach of the Solicitor's Code of Conduct and will a solicitor be negligent if they fail to comply? Solicitors…

Making a building defects claim? Use our handy 'Building Defects Claim Sheet'. If you wish to make a building defects claim then it is important to identify as early…

Professional negligence solicitor Emma Slade looks at the concept of the 'sophisticated client' in this latest edition of her popular blog. I have recently been told by my opponents…

My surveyor has made a mistake, what can I do? Surveyors, just like any other professional, make mistakes. Sometimes the surveyor's mistake can have far reaching consequences for their…

Don't delay in bringing a tax avoidance scheme professional negligence claim, says solicitor David Paull Following the flurry of media interest in the wake of the Paradise Papers, HMRC…

We are often approached by worried people asking what they can do when their case has been struck out by the court. In this short article we look at…

Solicitors negligence lawyer, Emma Slade, looks at a solicitor's duty to give cautionary advice. Q:        What’s the difference between God and a doctor? A:         God only thinks he’s a…

We take a look at negligent advocacy in a criminal trial and consider whether you can sue your barrister for negligence. A criminal conviction can have a major impact…

A Double Whammy! - In this installment of Emma Slade's entertaining professional negligence blog, Emma looks at a solicitors negligence case that didn't end well for the claimant I used…

No Letter?  No Care? - Emma Slade is taken aback by a solicitor's suggestion that they didn't owe their client a legal duty of care and can't therefore be…

The dental profession has for some time been committed to reducing the risks associated with dentistry, with an increased emphasis on improving patient safety. Even with the most stringent…

Private and NHS patients alike are entitled to receive a good standard of treatment from their dentist. Very occasionally however, mistakes are made and patients suffer as a result.…

Professional negligence solicitor, Emma Slade, warns again of the perils that lie in wait for solicitors who dabble in unfamiliar areas of the law. When I had finished writing…

Negligence solicitor Emma Slade continues her blog with some thoughts on a solicitors negligence case involving a right of way. I think I mentioned before that certain types of solicitors…

In this edition of her popular blog, solicitors negligence specialist Emma Slade looks at what can happen when a solicitor is tempted to dabble in areas outside his field…

I mentioned in a previous blog entry that I have done quite a few professional negligence claims concerning old mines in South Wales. I have a couple on-going at…

In this installment of her blog professional negligence solicitor Emma Slade looks at surveyor negligence and mining sulphate I know I keep saying that you can learn a lot…

Case study of a solicitors negligence claim in which specialist lawyer, Emma Slade, recovered compensation on behalf of a beneficiary who lost out due to a badly prepared Will.…

In this installment of her popular blog, Emma Slade looks at whether you can make a negligence claim if you are given an incorrect property valuation. They always say…

Just about to settle another professional negligence case.  I actually got instructed by a group of individuals last year who were all affected by the same problem.  I managed…

I have just settled a case and it is one of those cases where you almost wish it hadn’t settled as it would have been very interesting to take…

I am lucky.  I enjoy my work and I don’t think there are a lot of people out there who can say that.  Oh there are days when I…

We have all done it.  Written something down or typed something up only to go back to re-read it and realise that missed a bit.  See?  I have just…

Let’s face it, making a legal claim is expensive and is certainly not an item that everyone caters for in their monthly budget.  Plus, there is the very fearful…

A couple of articles have recently come to my attention in the Law Society Gazette to do with ‘cannibalism’, a phrase coined by a defendant lawyer to describe a…

Slee Blackwell Solicitors offer a free Helpline facility.  Potential clients can call up with their legal problems and we will chat it through them, giving guidance and help where…

When I take on a file with a view to bringing proceedings for professional negligence, I usually have a pretty good idea of what I am looking for.  Invariably, I…

I had an enquiry the other day about a potential professional negligence claim against a conveyancing solicitor and it reminded me of a case I dealt with a year or so ago. Mr…

In this edition of her blog, solicitors negligence specialist Emma Slade looks at another conveyancing negligence case that has landed on her desk; a commercial one this time. My…

I am an animal lover.  I have chickens, ducks and a lame goose in the garden; and an asthmatic cat indoors.  I also volunteer with the British Hen Welfare…

Cyber fraud is a growing problem in the legal sector, with the press regularly reporting on the success that scammers have enjoyed at the expense of unwary firms of…

Professional negligence solicitor Emma Slade looks at legal costs in a professional negligence case and the costs issues arising in a recent claim involving a negligent architect. Very few…

It has been a couple of months since the Grenfell Tower disaster and with the Public Inquiry just around the corner, there are still more questions than answers. At…

When a solicitor has made a mistake the question on everyone's lips is usually 'can I make a claim against them?' People are often surprised to find out that even…

Spanish Mortgage 'Floor Clause' Claims: Are you entitled to compensation? Court ruling allows Brits with Spanish property to claim compensation In December 2016 the European Court of Justice ruled that…

Emma Slade, a specialist professional negligence solicitor, looks at No Win - No Fee, CFAs and Legal Expenses Insurance in the context of solicitor's negligence claims Whenever a client…

Since snails were found in a bottle of ginger ale and carbolic acid was discovered in bottles of lemonade, the Courts have accepted that there does not always need…

Emma Slade, a solicitor who specialises in Professional Negligence law, considers negligence claims against Letting Agents The services of a Letting Agent seem an ideal option for busy landlords.…

Professional negligence solicitor Emma Slade looks at the law relating to Japanese Knotweed Did you know that it cost the UK taxpayer over £70 million to remove 10 acres…

Email scams are becoming increasingly common in the UK. Email accounts often contain a large amount of personal information, making them a valuable target for hackers and fraudsters writes Slee…

Professional negligence solicitor, Emma Slade, looks a recent court decision (July 2016) concerning a negligent valuation report. The Court of Appeal case of Tiuta International Ltd (in Liquidation) –v- De…

Any eagle-eyed student of the legal process will have noticed that just over three years ago, there was a huge re-write of the way that legal services were funded.…

A judge has ruled that a solicitor was negligent when he drafted a will that left 2 beneficiaries with £62,500 less than his client had intended. In the case…

In a landmark ruling the courts in Spain have ordered a Spanish bank to compensate an off plan property investor who lost their deposit when a developer went out…

Emma Slade, a solicitor specialising in Professional Negligence cases considers whether a claim can be brought against a judge, barrister, expert or witness for professional negligence in a Court…

A Conditional Fee Agreement, commonly known simply as a CFA , is a type of ‘No-Win, No-Fee’ legal funding. It is an arrangement between a legal representative and a…

Do you think your injury claim was worth more than what you settled it for? Are you unhappy with how the claim was dealt with? Do you feel the…

A brief look at Professional Negligence claims in the wake of the Ilott v Mitson Inheritance Act decision There has been quite a furore in the news and on…

It’s mentioned elsewhere on this site that the three elements you need to establish in a claim for professional negligence are: 1. A duty of care was owed; 2.…

Professional Negligence Solicitor, Lee Dawkins, anticipates an avalanche of professional negligence claims from miners who have lost out due to their lawyer’s negligence The court of appeal has rejected…

Jasmine Butler looks at the low value road traffic accident protocol and a technical mishap that could result in a personal injury lawyer facing a professional negligence claim The…

One of the principles behind any claim for negligence is that the ‘tortfeasor’ (legal jargon for the wrongdoer), needs to owe the claimant a duty of care.  It is…

Slee Blackwell, the solicitors behind Pro Neg, are featured as a recommended firm in the latest edition of the highly influential Legal 500 guide. The Legal 500, which is…

An announcement by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) has stated that there has been a massive increase in the number of disciplinary matters it has commenced; an increase of…

What was intended to be guidance and some fundamental changes to the law of nuisance by the Supreme Court in the matter of Coventry –v- Lawrence, has in fact…

Professional negligence solicitor, Lee Dawkins, looks at the problems caused by Modern Ground Rent provisions under the Leasehold Reform Act 1967. We have recently been instructed to deal with…

Emma Slade, a specialist professional negligence solicitor, examines the recent unanimous Court of Appeal decision in Clark –v- In Focus Asset Management confirming that once a decision by the…

The word ‘fraud’ – like ‘negligence’ – tends to be easily thrown into a conversation when discussing the actions of a potential defendant, but it has a different and…

DO YOU OR DON’T YOU? Clark –v- In Focus Asset Management (“IFAM”) [2014] EWCA Civ 118 Professional Negligence Solicitor, Emma Slade, examines a unanimous Court of Appeal decision which…

Charles Cooper, Barrister at Magdalen Chambers, reviews the recent Solicitors negligence case of Feltham v. Bouskell. It is an obvious requirement for a new Will to be valid that…

Many a professional negligence lawyer has had enquiries about whether a bank can be held liable for their irresponsible lending.  Picture the case: a young 18 year old in…

A brief look at how the desire of bankers to increase their bonuses has contributed to the Interest Rate Swap problem This article was going to be entitled “Why…

Professional negligence lawyer, Emma Slade, reviews the latest case law relating to negligent property overvaluation by valuers and surveyors Readers may be aware of the stinging result for professional…

Interest Rate Swap lawyer, Emma Slade, looks at the reserves that the banks have put aside to meet interest rate swap compensation claims and asks ‘is it enough?’ Concerns…

We look at whether victims of Interest Rate Swap mis-selling will need a lawyer to assist them with obtaining redress An article in THE INDEPENDENT published, just five days…

We take a look at the FSA report on the Interest Rate Swap scandal and the criticisms that have been levelled at it The FSA has announced that 90%…

The eagerly awaited SRA report on Interest Rate Swap mis-selling is published At seven o’clock this morning (30 January 2013) - a day earlier than anticipated - the FSA…

Professional Negligence Solicitor, Lee Dawkins anticipates the publication of the FSA’s report on the interest rate swap debacle The FSA is due to release a report this week on…

Jeff Slade, JBE (Associates) Ltd, Foreign Exchange Consultancy Interest rate derivatives are a form of financial engineering that was devised by professionals for use by professionals; in this case…

In its review of the mis-selling of interest rate hedging products, the FSA reported on a number of cases of bad practice among British banks, including mis-selling. As a…

A decision handed down from the High Court just before Christmas 2012, has re-confirmed the Courts’ position on negligent over-valuations.  It gave detailed consideration on the attempted defence of contributory…

As we enter 2013, interest rate swap specialist solicitor Emma Slade finds cause for hope in the latest judgement to be delivered by the courts. The judgment in the…

20th January 2013 The Sunday Telegraph reports that one of the Big Four banks is poised to double its provision for the mis-selling of Interest Rate Swaps with another…

Some say it could be as big as the PPI scandal. We doubt that as many people will be affected, but the amount of money involved could exceed the…

Negligence solicitor, Emma Slade attempts to demystify the Hedge I am often asked, what exactly is a hedge? If you are thinking in terms of that leafy thing at…

Interest rate swap solicitor, Emma Slade, launches Slee Blackwell’s dedicated free legal helpline to assist victims of mis-sold interest rate swap products The banks have been hit hard in…

Professional negligence solicitor Emma Slade ponders the foreseeability of the economic downturn and its legal implications A recent decision from the Court of Appeal could have serious implications for…

Litigation lawyers will know what a Hearsay Notice is, when one needs to be served and why. However, a recent decision by the Court of Appeal seems to have…

Professional Negligence solicitor, Emma Slade, comments on press reports about the rise in claims against personal injury lawyers for under-settling accident compensation A recent article in the Law Society…

Solicitor, James McNally, looks at recent developments in mediation in civil litigation Lord Neuberger, the Master of the Rolls, has announced his support for a new pilot scheme within…

Professional Negligence Solicitor, Lee Dawkins, reports on the Vibration White Finger Claims. It is estimated that up to 60,000 coal miners in Britain are entitled to receive White Finger compensation for…

Professional negligence solicitor, Emma Slade considers an appeal court decision that seems likely to be fertile ground for professional negligence claims The Court of Appeal’s controversial decision in Société…

Emma Slade, a professional negligence lawyer, considers whether a solicitor can be negligent for being too cautious, or too optimistic. Put three lawyers in a room and you will…

Emma Slade reviews the relationship between solicitor and barrister in the context of professional negligence Explaining the difference between a solicitor and barrister is not easy. Most people liken…

Emma Slade reviews limitation in professional negligence actions. One of the most common types of professional negligence claim arises where a solicitor misses a limitation period. The Limitation Act…

Negligent RICS survey: Professional negligence solicitor, Emma Slade, looks at the new RICS Condition Report. To date, there have only been three types of property survey that a home…

Will Writers Branded Rip Off Cowboys - Solicitor, Lee Dawkins, reviews the Legal Ombudsman's report on the dangers of unregulated will writers and the implications this has for professional negligence…

Professional negligence solicitor, Emma Slade examines the pitfalls of joint ownership and the important legal distinction between a Joint Tenant and a Tenant in Common. There seems to be…

I bought my house, moved in, put up the curtains – and noticed a huge crack in the wall. A friendly builder comes round and says it is subsidence,…

Professional negligence solicitor, Lee Dawkins, highlights the perils of the Limitation Act in professional Negligence Claims Limitation in professional negligence claims (especially a complaint against  a solicitor) can often seem…

Professional negligence lawyer, Emma Slade takes a look at causation, remoteness and the measure of loss in professional negligence claims. In order to bring a claim for any sort of…

Introducing negligentwillclaims.co.uk – a specialist website for professional negligence claims relating to the drafting and preparation of Wills The people behind Pro Neg, Slee Blackwell Solicitors, are delighted to…

Professional Negligence Lawyer, Lee Dawkins, explains. The new Legal Ombudsman (LeO) has opened its doors for business and first reports are that trade is brisk. The early signs suggest…

The Deceased’s instructions to his solicitor were clear: he wanted the house to go to his daughter and the balance of his Estate to be divided amongst the rest…

In case you hadn’t noticed, the UK has been in the grip of a recession for the past few years and with it, claims for professional negligence have proliferated.…

We all know that fraud and identity theft are on the increase. Fraudsters are employing ever more sophisticated methods to exploit the unwitting public and are now seeking to…