The professional negligence practice at Withers LLP has experience representing both claimants and defendants. The team advises on claims against a range of professionals, including investment advisors, solicitors, architects, and accountants. The practice is co-headed by Caroline Thompson and Eleni Polycarpou. Owen Talfan Davies joined the firm in August 2023 from Fieldfisher; he is particularly experienced in handling professional negligence claims within the real estate sector.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘They are very experienced and great communicators.’

  • 'Eleni Polycarpou is very experienced and brilliant with clients.'

  • ‘Caroline Thompson and Josh Swift are both excellent and highly effective lawyers, who are also both charming and pleasant to deal with.’

  • 'Stephen Ross is very experienced. He is extremely calm under the most ferocious of fires, which instills confidence in all clients.'

  • 'Stephen Ross is a heavy weight commercial litigator and very experienced in pursuing and defending professional negligence claims against solicitors.'

  • 'Joshua Swift is very bright, savvy, and all over the detail.'

  • 'Caroline Thompson has great judgement.'

  • ‘In the conduct of professional negligence claims, this firm is able to bring to bear its particular experience in private client and trusts matters.’

Key clients

  • Bar Mutual Indemnity Fund
  • RBC Trust Company
  • Barrowfen Properties Limited
  • Ferrybridge Capital Limited

Work highlights

  • Acted in high-value and complex claims against various of Bar Mutual's insureds, which have been resolved by way of strike out and/or settlement.
  • Acting for Ferrybridge Capital Limited in claims against firms of solicitors in negligence and breach of trust following a fraudulent property transaction.
  • Acting for an individual in a negligence claim against his former solicitors who did not adequately advise as to the tax liability that would arise on the transfer of trust assets into a new trust.

Lawyers

Leading associates
Leading associates with regular involvement in their team's key work, and recognition from peers or clients as being ones to watch.
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.

Practice head

The lawyer(s) leading their teams.

Eleni Polycarpou, Caroline Thompson

Other key lawyers

Stephen Ross, Joshua Swift, Owen Talfan Davies