
Dear Reader,
Welcome to the summer edition of our Professional Negligence Newsletter.
In this edition, Rupert Higgins looks at the position conveyancers will find themselves in where their client turns out to be a fraudster; and Dr Robert Whittock examines the position where ‘off-plan’ investment schemes fail.
We have almost completed this year’s seminar series with only our seminar on Directors and Officers’ negligence to go on 13th September. We are currently starting to plan for October 2018 – September 2019. If there are any topics you would particularly like us to cover, please do get in touch.
If you missed any of our earlier seminars and would like a copy of the handout, please email events@hardwicke.co.uk.
The earlier seminars covered:
- Financial Adviser Claims and Expert Evidence
- Insurance Brokers
- Construction
Thank you for reading, and on behalf of Hardwicke’s Professional Negligence Team, we wish you an enjoyable summer.

Given the frequency with which sophisticated fraudsters arrange for the sale of properties which they do not own, it is perhaps surprising that the question of who, amongst the professionals involved, bears the risk when it happens has not been considered sooner and more definitively. In 2010 the question came before the Court in Excel Securities PLC v Masood[2010] Lloyds Rep PN 165, but only on a summary judgment application. HHJ Hegarty QC (sitting as a High Court Judge) held that the question of whether a solicitor purporting to act for the owner of a property warranted the identity of his client could not be answered in the abstract, and was not a suitable matter for summary judgment.
You can read all of Rupert Higgins‘ article here.

Left Holding The Baby
31st July 2018
31 July 2018. Rupert Higgins looks at the position conveyancers will find themselves in where their client turns out to be a fraudster.

“Off-Plan” Investment Schemes: Equitable Compensation
12th July 2018
12 July 2018. Dr Robert Whittock explains Alessandro Conticini & Ors v Graham & Rosen & Ors.
27th September 2018: Risk & Negligence in Property Transactions: problems and pitfalls for practitioners - Birmingham Roadshow
Location: Hotel du Vin, Church Street, Birmingham, Birmingham, B3 2NRTime: 5:00pm
As the residential property market slows and returns on commercial property are threatened by the decline of the High Street, the risk that property owners will look to the professionals who advised them to recoup their losses returns.
Contact Us

If you would like to discuss any of the topics in this newsletter, please contact a member of our Practice management team.
This edition of the Professional Negligence newsletter was edited by Martyn Griffiths.
To find out more about our Professional Liability team and their work, visit the Professional Liability page on our website.
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