INCOMPETENT ADVISER

A man who ran a 'litigation firm' was found to be professionally negligent in the handling of a client's clinical negligence claim because he described his firm as qualified legal advisers, even though he was not qualified and did not employ any legally qualified staff, the High Court has ruled. Leigh Day partner Emma Jones, who represented the firm's unfortunate client, said the ruling establishes that 'if individuals hold themselves out as competent legal advisers they will be held to the standards of a competent legal adviser and if they do not reach those standards they can be liable.' 18 March 2019