Professional Negligence Claims Against Architects

Robert Johnson and the Professional Negligence team at Healys act for a variety of clients against a variety of professionals on a variety of different types of claims. The professionals against which we most frequently pursue claims are solicitors, accountants, surveyors, architects and estate agents.

This article summarises the type of claims that we have pursued against architects.

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Community infrastructure levies

The client instructed an architect to prepare plans (and obtain planning permission) for alterations/extensions to his family home. Planning permission was granted but only a small portion of the alterations took place (under 100sq feet). It was only when seeking to sell the property many years later that the client became aware that the works were subject to two ClLs amounting to £70k which would have to be paid before the sale. The architect failed to inform the client sufficiently, or at all, before the works took place. In fact the client should have been advised before the works took place that they had several options to avoid paying any ClLs.
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Development

The client engaged a firm of architects to act for it in the design and development of 11 apartments. The firm failed to deal promptly/properly with (1) planning permission; (2) building control regulations; and (3) design plans.
 

Demolition and Development

This was a claim against a firm of architects arising out of the manner in which they dealt with the demolition of a then existing building and the erection of a detached single two-storey dwelling with access, parking and amenity at our client's property. They failed in the roles of architect for and project manager on the Project to (1) ensure that the Property was built in accordance with (interalia) Building Regulations; (2) manage, supervise and advise our client in respect of a third party properly or at all; and/or (3) manage and advise our client on the Project generally with sufficient skill and care.
 

Acoustic Insulation‍

Claim against an architects firm arising out of a contract entered into between our clients and the architects firm to provide design and architectural services in connection with the conversion of a property and, in particular, the failure to incorporate any (or any adequate) acoustic insulation into the design of the property. This claim raised difficulties on quantum to include causation and foreseeability.
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Retail Development

Claim against an architect in relation to a multiple unit retail development. The architects inaccurate drawings resulted in issues with obtaining planning permission and other delays causing various losses.

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Healys Professional Negligence Services

Healys professional negligence team have acted for clients against a range of professionals including solicitors, barristers, architects, surveyors, financial advisors and accountants, and have an outstanding reputation for gaining the best possible outcome. They are accredited and recommended by leading legal review bodies, including Legal 500 and Chambers & Partners.

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