Clyde & Co acts for a number of large insurers and underwriters, advising on solicitors’ and accountants’ professional indemnity matters as well as work in the construction, healthcare and life sciences fields. The team is led jointly by James Preece, who focuses on lawyers’ professional indemnity; construction sector specialist Louisa Robbins; and Ben Parks, who has notable expertise in education sector and local authority work. Other names to note include Martin Paxton, who joined the firm from DAC Beachcroft LLP in February 2023, and consultant Iain Fraser.

DWF acts on professional negligence claims covering a range of sectors including construction and development, IP, and life sciences. Building safety and defective residential property is a key specialism of the practice. Practice head Andrew MacLeod has 30 years of experience in this field, often defending insurance companies against claims by policyholders. Paul Dally specialises in representing architects, engineers and surveyors. Director Hilary Harrison provides coverage advice for insurers, in particular in connection with D&O insurance matters.

Kennedys‘ professional indemnity team handles a broad cross-section of work across a number of sectors, with particular strength in cladding claims and architects’ disciplinary matters. The practice is jointly led by coverage and policy disputes expert Jeremy Riley; Claire Bushen, whose client base predominantly comprises solicitors and accountants; construction sector specialist Tom Handley; and Hannah Williams, who is experienced in a range of matters including D&O and white-collar crime. Associates Lucy Suddaby and Geoffrey Shreeve, who respectively offer specific knowledge of professional negligence matters in the sport and IT sectors, are also key.

Keoghs LLP specialises in the defence of claims against construction professionals, solicitors, brokers, IFAs and vets, as well as acting on behalf of such clients in professional disciplinary hearings. The firm is also regularly instructed by insurers to represent their policyholders in litigation, arbitrations and ombudsman referrals. Practice head Ruth Lawrence is a highly experienced construction claims specialist. Sarah Naylor is an expert in professional indemnity claims with a notable focus on the veterinary profession and stock brokers. Christopher Stanton and Jonathan Anslow are also integral to the practice, with the latter having key experience in multiparty claims. The ‘sharp and tactically astute‘ Rachel Blair, who predominately works on construction claims, was promoted to partner in March 2023.

Mills & Reeve LLP is well versed in defending legal professionals against negligence claims, with such cases making up a significant proportion of the practice’s workload. The firm also handles a high volume of claims against insurance brokers and construction professionals, as well as D&O claims. The practice is jointly led by Niall Innes, who specialises in defending legal professionals, including in disciplinary investigations by the BSB and SRA, and construction sector expert Ben Hardiman. Principal associates Emma Harrison and Sarah Rose are also key.

Representing a number of large multinational insurance companies including Zurich and Tokio Marine, Weightmans LLP specialises chiefly in claims against solicitors and construction professionals. Practice head Mickaela Fox is very experienced in high-value professional indemnity claims, with further expertise in trusts, property, taxation and fraud-related work. Co-head of the team Mike Grant has a strong track record in alternative dispute resolution and also provides ongoing advice on insurance and risk issues. Alex Marler is a specialist in construction sector professional negligence claims and has specific expertise in insurance coverage matters such as policy response and declinature, aggregation, and the pursuit of subrogated claims. Principal associate Pamela Freeland focuses on professional indemnity insurance in the legal sector and D&O insurance claims.

Addleshaw Goddard handles professional negligence work across the construction, property and general commercial litigation sectors, acting for both companies and HNWIs. The practice is jointly headed by Nick Ashcroft, a commercial litigator handling professional negligence claims against solicitors and valuers, and Victoria Pool, who specialises in representing policyholders in coverage disputes involving professional indemnity. Susan Garrett, who leads the firm’s pensions litigation team, is also key in this space, with her work including representation of scheme trustees in claims against former advisors.

DAC Beachcroft LLP is instructed by a range of well-known multinational insurance companies, including Swiss Re, Great Lakes and Tokio Marine. Experienced practice head Ian McConkey represents these clients in a range of professional negligence claims, particularly against solicitors, brokers, valuers and company directors. He is supported by construction and engineering disputes specialist Lyn Crawford. Martin Paxton left the firm in Febuary 2023, joining Clyde & Co.

Boutique litigation firm FS Legal has a strong record in professional negligence disputes; standout recent work includes acting for the defendants in FCA v Steel & Foster, an important case in the pension transfers space. Joint practice heads Kit Sorrell and Julia Norris are recommended for their experience in handling claims against financial advisors and tax advisors. Legal directors Nicola Stanley, Christine Newton and John Colvin support.

Legal Risk LLP covers sensitive professional negligence claims against lawyers and surveyors, including those involving implications of white-collar crime. Liverpool-based practice head Frank Maher specialises in representing high-profile law firms, including those based in the US, and has specialist expertise in fraud matters. Francis Dingwall assists from the firm’s Oxford branch.

Markel Law LLP is known for its handling of professional indemnity claims and provision of policy coverage advice. Practice head Mark Rankin is an experienced insurance lawyer who specialises in defending claims against policyholders in the the technology, media and telecoms sectors. He is supported by construction sector indemnity claims specialist Christopher Burns.

Gorvins Solicitors acts on claims against legal professionals, architects, surveyors, valuers and more. The team is jointly led by managing partner Mark Deverell, who primarily works on claims regarding legal professionals in this space, and experienced litigator and arbitrator Guy Lightowler. Cases involving the negligent handling of property matters constitute a specialism for the firm.

Myerson Solicitors LLP is known predominantly for its commercial litigation work, and is consequently involved in a variety of claims against solicitors, architects and accountants. The firm specialises particularly in claims against solicitors for negligent handling of wills and administration of estates, particularly when tax implications are involved. The experienced Tim Norman leads the team, supported by senior associate Suzanne Carr, who regularly handles professional negligence claims against solicitors in various legal areas including corporate, construction and IP.