Independent editorial shortlisting of leading firms handling claims and defences against professionals in Bristol and the wider South West, drawing on independent directories, firm expertise pages and publicly available lawyer bios. Interested in a professionally optimised subpage for your firm or as an individual lawyer, plus a trust badge if you haven’t received one? Please get in touch via our contact page.
This guide focuses on disputes involving advisers such as solicitors, accountants, surveyors, architects and insurance brokers. Clinical negligence is covered separately in our medical negligence lists.
How this list is structured
- Balanced mix of claimant and defence practices to reflect the Bristol market
- Three named lawyers per firm for quick navigation
- One or two independent sources per firm, referenced in endnotes
Top professional negligence law firms in Bristol
- Burges Salmon Bristol
Known for high value claimant work across financial services, legal sector and construction. Team acts for corporates, financial institutions and private clients.
Notable lawyers: Andrew Burnette, Michael Ward, Charles Crowne.
- TLT Bristol
Claimant focused practice with strength in lender, bank and corporate claims including surveyor and solicitor negligence, and ADR experience.
Notable lawyers: Neil Franklin, Chris Owen, Sam McCollum.
- Clarke Willmott Bristol
Band 1 claimant work spanning advice claims against solicitors and construction professionals, plus lender actions against valuers.
Notable lawyers: Alex Jakubowski, Chris Taylor, Esther Woolford.
- Osborne Clarke Bristol
Claimant side capability for investors and developers, including claims arising from defects and tax matters.
Notable lawyers: Tom Ellis, Charlie Wedin, Katherine King.
- CMS Bristol
Defendant work for major insurers and brokers across professions, with Bristol as a key hub.
Notable lawyers: Cheryl Gibson, Zoe Burge, Simon Garrett.
- RPC Bristol
Defending claims across legal, financial and construction markets for insurers and insureds. Established Bristol office with PI and lawyers liability depth.
Notable lawyers: Will Sefton, Matthew Watson, Christian Charlesworth.
- DWF Bristol
Professional indemnity defence for insurers and brokers, including construction related claims.
Notable lawyers: Ian Welland, Alexandra Cartwright, Gemma Spratt.
Sources: 13
- DAC Beachcroft Bristol
Large defendant team representing leading insurers and professional services firms across disciplines.
Notable lawyers: Andrew Crocombe, Ben Daniels, Daniel Preddy.
- Kennedys Bristol
Defendant practice handling claims against solicitors, financial advisers and construction professionals with South West presence integrated with London and Taunton.
Notable lawyers: Helen Ager, Laura Hurst, Beth Cara.
- Clyde and Co Bristol
Defendant focused PI and professional liability team for insurers and professional firms, including construction professionals.
Notable lawyers: Tom Bedford, professional indemnity leadership team, Bristol disputes partners.
What professional negligence covers
Claims commonly involve economic loss arising from negligent advice or services by professionals such as solicitors, accountants, surveyors, engineers, architects, IFAs and insurance brokers. Typical issues include missed limitation, negligent drafting, valuation errors, design defects, audit failures and negligent tax schemes. Clinical practitioners are treated under the separate category of clinical or medical negligence.
How to choose the right firm
- Decide whether you need claimant or defence representation
- Match sector experience to your dispute type
- Ask about strategy, costs budgeting and ADR options like mediation
- Check independent directory rankings and recent case highlights
Frequently asked questions
What is the time limit for professional negligence claims
In England and Wales the general limitation period is six years from the date of the negligent act or omission, with a possible three year extension from the date of knowledge in latent damage cases. Always get specific advice because facts can change the analysis.
Is professional negligence the same as breach of contract
They often overlap. Many claims are brought in both tort and contract. The pros and cons differ on limitation and recoverable losses, so lawyers assess both routes at the outset.
What professionals are most commonly sued
Solicitors, conveyancers, valuers and surveyors, architects and engineers, financial advisers and insurance brokers feature frequently due to the advisory nature of their services and the economic loss that can result from errors.
Do most cases go to trial
No. Many resolve through pre action protocols, mediation or other ADR. The courts expect parties to consider ADR seriously and may make cost consequences if they do not.
What evidence do I need
Engagement documents, emails and advice letters, transactional files, valuations or reports, and financial evidence of loss. Expert evidence is usually required on breach and causation.
How long do cases take
Straightforward claims can settle within months after protocol exchanges. Contested litigation can run 12 to 24 months or more to trial. Timelines vary with complexity, experts and court availability.
What is the pre action protocol
The Professional Negligence Pre Action Protocol sets out steps before issuing a claim, including a letter of claim, response and potential pre action meeting. It is designed to promote exchange of information and early settlement.
Can I claim for lost chance
Yes in appropriate cases such as litigation negligence or missed opportunity claims. Courts assess the percentage chance of the underlying outcome and discount damages accordingly.
What funding options exist
Options include private funding with budgets, after the event insurance, conditional fee agreements in some claimant cases, and insurer funded defence for the professional.
What is contributory negligence
Where a claimant’s own acts contributed to the loss, damages may be reduced to reflect responsibility. This is a common defence issue and often negotiated in settlement.
Endnotes
- Burges Salmon profile and claimant ranking commentary. Chambers UK, Professional Negligence Mainly Claimant South West. Source: Chambers. Also partner profile: Andrew Burnette.
- Legal 500 South West notes Burges Salmon and cites Michael Ward in commercial litigation overview with PN expertise. Source: Legal 500.
- TLT claimant ranking and overview. Source: Chambers.
- TLT people and PN team, including Sam McCollum. Sources: TLT profile, Legal 500 mention of Chris Owen.
- Clarke Willmott PN page and contact points. Source: Clarke Willmott.
- Chambers Band 1 claimant ranking and Legal 500 lawyer notes for Chris Taylor and Esther Woolford. Sources: Chambers, Legal 500.
- Osborne Clarke claimant ranking. Source: Chambers.
- Legal 500 Bristol PN editorial naming Tom Ellis and team strength, plus lawyer bios. Sources: Legal 500, Charlie Wedin, Katherine King.
- CMS PN practice overview and Bristol contact leadership. Source: CMS.
- Legal 500 South West PN editorial for CMS and key individuals including Zoe Burge. Source: Legal 500.
- RPC professional liability practice page and Bristol location page. Sources: RPC, RPC Bristol.
- Leadership and Bristol partners. Sources: Will Sefton, Matthew Watson, Christian Charlesworth hire.
- DWF PN defence team South West with named individuals. Source: Legal 500.
- DAC Beachcroft PN defendant market positioning and lawyers liability practice. Sources: Chambers, DAC Beachcroft.
- Recent Bristol lawyers liability partner hire and Bristol commercial litigation contacts. Sources: Insider Media, Legal 500.
- Kennedys South West PN ranking and team leadership including Helen Ager and Laura Hurst. Sources: Legal 500, Chambers.
- Kennedys Bristol appointments and webinar faculty including Beth Cara. Sources: Kennedys event page, Laura Hurst profile.
- Clyde and Co Bristol office overview. Source: Clyde and Co.
- Clyde and Co professional indemnity practice overview and construction PI focus. Sources: PI practice, Construction PI, Bristol partner hire.
If any firm above would like to update or expand its listing, please contact us with verifiable public sources for review.
If you would like your firm or lawyer profile enhanced for online visibility, get in touch.