Department profile
3 Verulam Buildings

Professional Negligence

UK Bar Guide 2026 : London (Bar)


3 Verulam Buildings

Rankings

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Professional Negligence - London (Bar)

Band 4

Band 4


What the Team is Known For

3 Verulam Buildings houses counsel who are experienced in a range of professional negligence disputes. Its barristers offer deep expertise when handling insurance-related claims as well as those alleging negligence on the part of solicitors. They have additional skill in claims arising out of negligent tax and investment fund advice. Recent high-profile work includes members' involvement on behalf of defendants in Clifford Chance LLP v Société Générale SA. A source states that the set offers "strength and depth of experience in both professional negligence and fraud claims, particularly those with a complex financial aspect".

Stephen Penson and Stuart Pullum are joint senior practice managers.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

  • 3 Verulam Buildings is a great set with top-tier service. The clerks help the cases move smoothly.

    Professional Negligence respondentUK Bar
  • The clerks are well versed with barrister specialisms and availability, and will always find someone appropriate.

    Professional Negligence respondentUK Bar
  • The set has excellent clerks. Jack Wheeler is very responsive.

    Professional Negligence respondentUK Bar

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

  • Band 2Andrew Onslow
    Band 2Andrew Onslow

    Andrew Onslow

    Andrew Onslow KC has a strong financial services and fraud practice which sits alongside his professional negligence work. As well as financial professionals, he handles cases involving solicitors' negligence and has niche expertise in representing auction houses in high-profile disputes concerning valuable works of art.

    • Andrew Onslow KC is a very well-known and highly respected leader.

      Professional Negligence respondentUK Bar
    • Andrew has pedigree in art cases and is well regarded.

      Professional Negligence respondentUK Bar
  • Band 3James Sharpe
    Band 3James Sharpe

    James Sharpe

    In professional negligence matters, James Sharpe has notable experience acting in cases involving solicitors, independent financial advisers and insurance brokers. He is also able to advise on closely related issues such as fraud and breach of fiduciary duty.

    • James Sharpe is an experienced junior. He's excellent.

      Professional Negligence respondentUK Bar
    • James is measured, clever and has a very nice manner. He's one of those people whose judgement you can trust fully.

      Professional Negligence respondentUK Bar
    • James Sharpe has been in lots of big accountants and broker cases.

      Professional Negligence respondentUK Bar
  • Band 3Saaman Pourghadiri
    Band 3Saaman Pourghadiri

    Saaman Pourghadiri

    Saaman Pourghadiri has a growing professional negligence practice. He is adept at handling claims against and defending solicitors, barristers and accountants that have been accused of negligence. His clients benefit from his knowledge of tax and banking law.

    • Saaman Pourghadiri has a great wealth of experience. He is super bright and accessible, very responsive and loved by clients.

      Professional Negligence respondentUK Bar
    • I was particularly impressed at how speedily and thoroughly Saaman got up to speed with the detail. He was extremely proactive, made practical suggestions and was an excellent advocate.

      Professional Negligence respondentUK Bar
    • Saaman Pourghadiri is really impressive, nice and unassuming but devastatingly clever.

      Professional Negligence respondentUK Bar
    • Saaman Pourghadiri is super sharp and very eloquent. He has done hearings against silks and held his own.

      Professional Negligence respondentUK Bar
  • Band 3Tom Weitzman
    Band 3Tom Weitzman

    Tom Weitzman

    Tom Weitzman KC is a formidable barrister who has an equally strong reputation for his professional negligence and insurance expertise. As well as regularly representing professional indemnity insurers and brokers, he also works with a wide array of other professionals, including architects, engineers, solicitors, accountants and actuaries.

    • Tom Weitzman KC is absolutely first rate.

      Professional Negligence respondentUK Bar
    • Tom Weitzman KC is truly excellent and knows the law inside and out. He expresses his advice very clearly, which is appreciated by clients.

      Professional Negligence respondentUK Bar
    • Tom Weitzman KC gives clear, fully and well-considered advice, both in writing and in conference. He's absolutely superb.

      Professional Negligence respondentUK Bar
  • Band 4David Head
    Band 4David Head

    David Head

    David Head KC has significant experience in major professional negligence cases. He has a depth of experience in cases involving complex tax issues, as well as those relating to pensions and construction professionals.

    • David Head KC was delightful to deal with and very good.

      Professional Negligence respondentUK Bar
    • David Head KC has done a brilliant job leading our case.

      Professional Negligence respondentUK Bar
  • Band 4Matthew Hardwick
    Band 4Matthew Hardwick

    Matthew Hardwick

    Matthew Hardwick KC has a significant defence-side professional negligence practice. Hardwick's cases regularly arise out of high-value fraud claims and often involve large numbers of claimants.

    • Matthew is a brilliant all-rounder for professional negligence claims involving financial professionals: great on paper, good with clients, strategically insightful and simply outstanding at trial.

      Professional Negligence respondentUK Bar
    • Matthew Hardwick KC is very effective.

      Professional Negligence respondentUK Bar

Ranked Barristers at 3 Verulam Buildings (6)

London (Bar)

What success is built on

Chambers is the leading data and intelligence partner for the legal sector.

Explore thought leadership