Professional Negligence Claim Against An Architect
Our solicitors are vastly experienced in assisting individuals and companies of all sizes to advise upon a professional negligence claim against an architect. At Blackstone Solicitors, we are able to advise many different types of client on the process involved, no matter the complexity of the circumstances being considered and the nature of the claim.
For more information about how our team of corporate solicitors can help, contact us on 0345 901 0445 or complete our online enquiry form and a member of the team will call you back at a convenient time.
Our Approach
Examples of architect negligence may include a failure to obtain planning permission for a particular aspect of your building project or a failure to draw up plans correctly, resulting in poor design and build. The effects of these mistakes can often have a dramatic effect on your cash flow and building project. In certain situations, the local planning control officer could order you to demolish the building if the required planning permission has not been obtained. Badly designed projects can also result in further costs down the line, should it transpire that remedial works are required to prevent further damage.
Blackstone Solicitors are known for our efficiency, attention to detail and ability to get things done; qualities much needed when making a professional negligence claim against an architect. We will provide professional, pragmatic advice based on our years of experience in this specialist area.
Our team will do all that is necessary to ensure you are properly and robustly represented in any claim and will put your interests first at all times. The procedure can often be highly technical and we will ensure you are in the best possible position for a successful outcome.
Why Legal Help is Important
Architects owe their clients a duty of care to perform their work with reasonable care and skill. This is the case under common law but it should also be set out in the terms of business agreed between yourself and the architect. If they fail to carry out their duties with the appropriate skill and care, and you suffer a loss as a result, then you may be able to bring a claim for professional negligence.
In order to bring a professional negligence claim against an architect, proof will need to be obtained that the individual or company concerned has breached these duties. This is usually done by obtaining a report from another architect to comment on whether the work undertaken fell below the standard to be expected.
Most claims against architects can be complex and that’s why it’s important to have experienced legal representation.
The process can be potentially stressful and can be considered to be
incredibly important. It can have an impact on you and your business, both in the short and long term – it is therefore imperative that you have the best legal experts at your side, not only to ensure everything progresses as it should but also to make sure both you and your business benefits from the best possible terms of a claim.
Our Services
In order to win a negligence claim against an architect, the claimant will need to prove a number of things. First, it is necessary to prove that the architect in question owed a duty of care to you. Second, it must be proven that the duty of care has been breached. This normally takes the form of comparing the architect’s actions to those that can be reasonably expected of a competent architect. Thirdly, it is necessary to prove that a loss has occurred as a result of the actions of the architect.
Other questions to be considered will include whether the architect followed the client’s instructions and took reasonable care in carrying out those instructions. Before reaching any ruling a court will also need to look at whether the architect demonstrated basic competence and skill, offered advice on all appropriate matters, and whether he or she sought to protect the client’s interests.
If you’ve identified that your architect has breached their duty of care and it has resulted in a loss on your part, then you may be able to claim for damages from them or their insurer. Damages are not intended to be compensation. They are meant to place you in the position you would have been, had your architect not been negligent. They are not designed to put you in a better position than you would have been in.
Whatever the circumstances are of the negligence claim, we ensure full compliance with corporate laws and regulations, so that you can be sure that the process is addressed on a firm financial and legal basis.
We will work with you to ensure all financial and legal aspects of any negligence claim is properly managed and instruct a suitably qualified expert architect if required. We are able to assist with any aspect of this and will guide you through the technicalities in a clear and concise way. We have a team of experienced solicitors well versed in the process who are ready to assist you.
Get in Touch
Find out more about our services and how our commercial litigation solicitors can assist you and your business by getting in touch. We have offices in Cheshire and London and are able to serve clients across the North West, including Chester and Manchester, as well as throughout the UK and also overseas.
Call us on 0345 901 0445 or complete our online enquiry form and we will be in contact as soon as we can.
