Professional Negligence (bto Insight September 2008)

Matthews v Hunter & Robertson Limited [2008] CSOH 88: Derek Allan, Partner and specialist in professional negligence claims and Tony Jones, Partner and solicitor advocate, successfully defended a potentially ground breaking professional negligence action.

The Pursuer claimed damages against a firm of solicitors alleging that a duty of care was owed by them to him as an executor in addition to a duty owed to the deceased. The Pursuer sought to develop a case based upon the well known House of Lords authority of White v Jones and recover pure economic loss.

The Pursuer claimed that he had lost half of a house because a clause in the deceased's title to the house allowed half the house to pass on death to her ex-husband rather than passing to the beneficiaries under a will.

In White the Lords had developed the law to allow disappointed potential beneficiaries to claim damages from a solicitor who had failed to prepare a new will.

For the full decision, please visit: www.scotcourts.gov.uk/opinions/2008CSOH88.html

Contact
Tony Jones

One Edinburgh Quay Edinburgh EH3 9QG
T: 0131 222 2939  F: 0131 222 2949  E: lawyers@bto.co.uk
48 St. Vincent Street Glasgow G2 5HS
T: 0141 221 8012  F: 0141 221 7803  E: lawyers@bto.co.uk