Professional Negligence

The Newport Professional and Commercial Risks' team is the only defendant professional negligence team in Wales.

The team forms part of our South team (see separate entry for Bristol team) and has a national reputation, acting for Insurers and their professionals on a nationwide basis.

Whilst the team has wide experience of claims against a number of professionals, it is best known for its work in defending solicitors in respect of professional negligence claims, and also now regularly acts for large national firms of solicitors in relation to SRA investigations and in the defence of professional disciplinary proceedings against partners in those firms. This work is extremely sensitive and requires specialist expertise in view of the considerable reputational risks to both the solicitor concerned and their firm.

The team strives to respond to the changing needs of their clients and the risks they face. For example, the team has established an excellent reputation for advising professional clients and their Insurers on issues relating to cyber crime and data breaches (such as the "Friday afternoon" scams targeting conveyancing firms).

The team regularly advises Insurers in respect of policy coverage issues in the context of which Clare Hughes-Williams has a national profile.

The team partners are proud of the breadth of experience that the team has, particularly in the area of solicitors' PI insurance where we are seen as trusted advisers by Insurers.