Professional Negligence Solicitors: Assistance Across Chester and Beyond

When you place your trust in a professional, you expect them to act competently, carefully, and with your best interests in mind. Unfortunately, professionals sometimes make mistakes, and those errors can have serious financial or personal consequences.

If you have suffered loss because a professional failed in their duty of care, you may be entitled to compensation. At AFG Law, our professional negligence solicitors provide expert legal representation across Chester to help you hold professionals accountable for their mistakes.

We are an established law firm with experience helping individuals and businesses across Chester, Cheshire, and throughout England and Wales pursue professional negligence claims. Our dedicated dispute resolution team offers clear, practical legal advice and strategic support at every stage of the process.

What is professional negligence?

Professional negligence occurs when a professional fails to perform their services to the standard reasonably expected of their profession, and that failure causes you financial loss or other damage.

Professionals, such as solicitors, accountants, surveyors, or financial advisers, owe their clients a duty of care. They must act with skill, competence, and diligence when providing advice or services.

If that duty is breached and you suffer loss as a result, you may have grounds to make a professional negligence claim.

Examples of professionals who may be liable include:

• Solicitors – for missed court deadlines, poor drafting, or incorrect legal advice.
• Accountants and auditors – for errors in tax planning, valuations, or audits.
• Financial advisers – for unsuitable investment or pension recommendations.
• Surveyors and valuers – for inaccurate reports or property valuations.
• Architects and engineers – for design errors or non-compliance with regulations.
• Insurance brokers – for failing to arrange appropriate cover.

At AFG Law, our dispute resolution team has dealt with professional negligence claims.

The legal basis for a professional negligence claim

To succeed in a professional negligence case, you must demonstrate three essential elements:

1. Duty of care – The professional owed you a legal duty to act with reasonable care and skill.
2. Breach of duty – They failed to meet the expected professional standards.
3. Causation and loss – You suffered financial or other loss as a direct result of their negligence.

It’s not enough to show that a mistake was made, it must also be proven that the mistake caused measurable loss. Our expert legal team will work with you to gather the evidence necessary to establish these elements and build a strong claim.

Common examples of professional negligence

Professional negligence can occur in many situations. Examples include:

Solicitors

• Failing to issue a claim within the legal time limit.
• Giving incorrect legal advice about a settlement or contract.
• Mishandling conveyancing, leading to title defects or unexpected costs.

Accountants and financial advisers

• Providing negligent tax planning or pension advice.
• Failing to identify financial irregularities.
• Giving bad or misleading advice about investments, resulting in losses.

Surveyors and valuers

• Overvaluing or undervaluing property.
• Failing to spot subsidence, damp, or other defects.
• Negligent surveys relied on during property purchases.

Architects and engineers

• Design errors leading to unsafe or non-compliant structures.
• Failure to meet building regulations or contractual obligations.
• Poor project management resulting in cost overruns or delays.

Our dispute resolution team has acted in a range of professional negligence claims, recovering compensation for clients who have suffered because of professional mistakes.

How long do you have to make a claim?

Under the Limitation Act 1980, a claim for professional negligence must generally be brought within six years from the date of the negligent act or omission.

However, if you only became aware of the negligence later, you may have up to three years from the date you discovered (or could reasonably have discovered) the issue.

Because limitation periods can be complex, it’s important to seek legal advice as soon as you suspect that you have been given poor professional service. Our expert legal team can assess whether your claim is within time and advise on your next steps.

The pre-action protocol for professional negligence

Before starting court proceedings, the parties are expected to follow the Pre-Action Protocol for Professional Negligence. This protocol encourages early communication and aims to resolve disputes without the need for litigation.

The key stages include:

1. Preliminary assessment – The claimant seeks initial legal advice to determine whether a claim is viable.
2. Letter of claim – A formal letter is sent to the professional or their insurer, setting out the allegations and losses.
3. Response – The professional has a set period to investigate and reply.
4. Negotiation – Both parties may attempt to reach a settlement through correspondence or alternative dispute resolution.

Our dispute resolution team ensures that every step of the protocol is followed precisely, strengthening your position and often avoiding the need for a court hearing altogether.

Resolving professional negligence claims

At AFG Law, we aim to resolve claims as efficiently and cost-effectively as possible. Our professional negligence solicitors explore every opportunity to settle disputes before they escalate to court.

Negotiation and settlement

We are skilled negotiators and often secure favourable outcomes through direct discussions or formal mediation. Early resolution can save time, legal fees, and stress.

Alternative dispute resolution (ADR)

Our law firm encourages the use of mediation and other ADR processes wherever appropriate. ADR allows parties to reach a confidential, mutually acceptable settlement without resorting to litigation.

Court proceedings

When necessary, our expert legal team is prepared to issue proceedings and represent you robustly in court. We have extensive experience handling complex professional negligence claims in both the County Court and High Court.

Whatever route your case takes, you can rely on AFG Law’s team to provide clear communication, practical guidance, and unwavering support.

What compensation can you claim?

The amount of compensation you can claim will depend on the financial impact of the negligence. Common categories of loss include:

• Direct financial loss, such as lost investments or unexpected costs.
• Expenses incurred to rectify the professional’s mistakes.
• Loss of opportunity or profit.
• Interest and consequential damages.

Our solicitors will work with financial experts, surveyors, or other professionals to accurately calculate your losses and ensure that you receive fair compensation.

Why choose AFG Law’s professional negligence solicitors?

As a trusted law firm with a long-standing presence in the North West, AFG Law is known for delivering clear, practical, and results-driven advice. We are committed to protecting our clients’ rights and restoring their confidence after professional failures.

Here’s why clients across Chester and beyond choose us for professional negligence claims:

• Expert legal knowledge – Our solicitors have decades of experience in complex negligence cases.
• Comprehensive support – From initial legal advice to court representation, we guide you every step of the way.
• Strong reputation – We are a well-respected law firm known for professionalism, integrity, and successful outcomes.
• Nationwide service – Although based in Greater Manchester, we represent clients throughout England and Wales, including Chester.
• Client-focused approach – We take the time to understand your situation, explaining the process in clear, straightforward terms.

When you instruct AFG Law, you gain access to an expert legal team that understands both the commercial realities and personal impact of professional negligence.

How our dispute resolution team works with you

Our approach is proactive, transparent, and collaborative. From your first consultation, a member of our team will review your case carefully and outline your options.

We will:

1. Assess whether a duty of care was owed and breached.
2. Gather evidence to support your professional negligence claim.
3. Identify potential funding arrangements.
4. Communicate regularly so you always know the progress of your case.

We pride ourselves on combining technical legal expertise with compassion and clear communication, ensuring you feel supported at every stage.

Contact our professional negligence solicitors

If you’re based in Chester and you believe you have suffered financial loss, stress, or damage due to a professional’s error, contact AFG Law’s professional negligence solicitors today. We will provide clear, practical legal advice, assess your case, and help you pursue the compensation you deserve.

To discuss your professional negligence issue please contact a member of our team on 01204 920 103. Alternatively, you can send an email with your name, contact information and brief details as to the nature of your issue to disputeresolution@afglaw.co.uk and one of our team will be able to help you.

At AFG Law, we’re more than just a law firm, we’re a trusted partner, providing expert legal representation when professional standards fall short. Whether your case involves a solicitor, accountant, or other professional, we will help you seek justice and restore your peace of mind.