James Hazlett

James specialises in defending negligence claims brought against professionals and their indemnity insurers.

He has over 15 years’ experience advising clients across a range of professions. This includes claims brought against solicitors in the context of Wills, Trust and Probate work, disappointed beneficiaries, corporate transactions, commercial and residential conveyancing, matrimonial work and lost litigation.

He also has considerable experience in dealing with allegations against surveyors and valuers (valuation and defects), LPA Receivers, accountants, tax advisers and insurance brokers. In addition, James deals with policy and coverage matters and advises professionals about risk management and prevention.

Relevant experience includes advising:

• A national firm of surveyors in respect of multiple claims brought by both lenders (primary and tertiary) and borrowers about allegedly negligent valuations and surveys, including issues of undervaluation, overvaluation and the failure to identify defects.
• A firm of solicitors in respect of advice and management concerning a statutory Will Trust over a 20 year period, following a litigated claim brought by the Beneficiary against the Trustees, for which the Insured was ultimately blamed.
• LPA Receivers in a claim by a property owner concerning the management and alleged disposal at an undervalue of a complicated portfolio of mixed use properties.