Professional negligence

Victoria Brackett and Katie Papworth consider a ruling on the duties of valuers, when you can rely on counsel’s advice and settlement without authority

The proposition established in Smith v Eric S Bush (A Firm) (1990) 1 AC 831, that the duty of care owed by a property surveyor to a mortgagee to prepare its valuation report with skill and care extended to the purchaser of the valued property, did not apply where the transaction concerned an investment in a buy-to-let property rather than an ordinary domestic householder purchasing his home. There was no inherent likelihood that a purchaser, buying property for the purpose of letting it out, would rely on a valuation provided to the mortgagee rather than obtaining his own valuation.

Jane Coker discusses recent deportation cases that highlight the importance of the welfare and best interests of children

When a client demands a key beneficiary is all but axed from the will, how do you safeguard against the inevitable challenge? Lloyd Junor offers one solution