Negligent Legal Advice – Solicitor Negligence

Have you been let down by a solicitor?

When seeking legal advice, we put our faith in solicitors and other trained professionals to guide and help us through the maze of legalese. Solicitors have a duty of care to provide a high level of service, so they get the best outcome for their clients.

However, there may be instances where things go wrong. Perhaps the advice you received from your solicitor has resulted in a loss of finances, or their legal malpractice has caused your case to be unsuccessful. If you believe the service you received was unacceptable, you may be entitled to compensation.

Here at Been Let Down, we specialise in winning professional negligence claims for our clients. Our team of experienced solicitors have a wealth of knowledge gained from numerous successes in this field since 2006.

What is legal negligence?

If you’ve been let down by a legal professional, then you may have experienced legal negligence.

There are many situations where you would seek the help of a solicitor, from buying a home to obtaining a divorce. The solicitor has a duty of care to act in your best interests, so the advice they give you should ensure that your case or claim has the best chance of succeeding.

However, if you believe you have suffered financial loss or harm due to incorrect legal advice, you may be able to make a legal negligence claim.

How do I know if I have experienced legal negligence?

Prior to proceeding with a solicitor negligence case, it is important to establish whether your matter is technically negligence or a complaint. In more complex cases, negligence can be difficult to determine.

Negligence: Conduct that falls below the standards of behaviour established by law for the protection of others against unreasonable risk of harm. A person has acted negligently if he or she has departed from the conduct expected of a reasonably prudent person acting under similar circumstances.

Professional negligence in the form of poor legal advice can cover a myriad of specialities and fields. Therefore, it’s best to contact solicitors that specialise in the area of professional legal negligence you have been affected by, to discuss if you have a case.

Solicitors are required by the Solicitor’s Regulation Authority to take out professional indemnity insurance which covers the cost of compensation if a claim of negligence is brought against them. This protects both clients and legal professionals alike.

Who can I make a legal negligence claim against?

There are many situations whereby a solicitor or trained professional may have given you bad legal advice which, in turn, has affected your legal case.

The following areas of legal practice are often liable for legal negligence claims:

• Property solicitors
• Personal injury solicitors
• Business solicitors
• Family law solicitors
• Employment solicitors
• Will and probate solicitors
• Medical negligence solicitors

Complaining about a solicitor

All solicitors must comply with the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) Code of Conduct. These are regulations to ensure your solicitor treats you fairly and professionally.

Firstly, you should complain to your solicitor as they will have a process for handling complaints. Do this as soon as possible and be clear on what your issue is, as well as how you want it to be resolved.

If you have complained to your solicitor and you are not satisfied with their response, contact the Legal Ombudsman to make a complaint. They deal with poor legal service and will keep in contact with you to ensure your case is passed to an investigator for assessment, should you require this.

How can I bring a legal negligence claim?

If you are unfortunate enough to experience problems due to the negligence of a legal professional, you may be feeling frustrated and confused at what to do next.

With Been Let Down, it’s easy to find out if you’re due compensation. To get started, simply get in touch using our online form, call us on 0800 234 3234 or request a call back. We’ll put you in touch with a member of our experienced legal team to discuss your situation.

How much does it cost to bring a claim?

Unlike some legal firms, Been Let Down will ensure your case is managed by an experienced solicitor from day one, and all initial consultations will be free and at no obligation to yourself.

We will listen sensitively to the details of your claim, and if we decide that you have a good case for negligence with reasonable prospects of success, then we will likely offer to pursue your claim on a No Win, No Fee basis.

How long do I have to make a claim?

It’s best not to hold back in getting the advice you need. The Limitation Act 1980 imposes statutory time limits on bringing negligence claims.

The general rule is to bring a claim, where proceedings must be commenced, within six years from the date the negligence has occurred. If you fail to bring a claim within this time limit, you may miss the opportunity to get the compensation you deserve. Don’t risk your claim by delaying – contact us as soon as possible.

If you’ve Been Let Down, we’re here to help

Get in touch today and find out if you can claim for compensation for your financial losses due to the negligence of your solicitor.

Rest assured, you’ll be represented by an experienced team of legal negligence lawyers who will support you every step of the way.

Please call us on 0800 234 3234 or fill out our easy online form and a member of our legal team will be in touch.