Advising on professional negligence claims requires specialised expertise from someone who manages every situation in minute detail. Our Professional Indemnity team devises and employes a variety of techniques, all with the aim of achieving early resolution (thereby reducing both costs and stress).

Our substantial experience advising on negligence claims relates to engineers, surveyors, architects, valuers, accountants and health professionals.

We act for a large number of professional indemnity insurers and their insureds in respect of claims in Australia, the United Kingdom, Asia and the United States.

Examples of recent matters in which our professional indemnity team has successfully represented their clients include:

• A claim against the certifying authority and its insurers in relation to a $38 million waterfront redevelopment in Sydney's Eastern Suburbs.  The certifier was sued for several million dollars for failing to detect defects in the contiguous piling at the excavation stage causing damage not only to the redevelopment but to adjacent properties.
• Representing a Local Council in a $10 million claim for damage to property arising from the approval of certain plans and engineering drawings.  The case involved cross-claims against builders, architects and engineers. 
• Acting for a public authority in a lengthy Inquest arising from deaths resulting from a land-slip.  The claim involved $30 million at risk in property and other insurance related claims and involved builders, architects, engineers and government departments. 
• Representing a contractor responsible for maintaining a concrete kiln who, during maintenance, replaced the bearings in the kiln.  The bearings subsequently failed causing an unscheduled and lengthy shut down.  The claim for repairs and business interruption was in excess of $12 million. 
• Acting for auctioneers and valuers in relation to the sale of allegedly non-genuine antique sculptures purchased by international antique dealers.   The case involved consideration of exporting and customs issues as well as various potential breaches of the Trade Practices Act and Fair Trading Act.
• Acting for accountants in relation to alleged deficiencies in preparation of financial statements and taxation returns.
• Acting for architects in disputed commercial construction projects in various State jurisdictions.
• Representing geotechnical engineers in respect of significant property losses following incorrect classification of soils on a site proposed for commercial development.

Our senior team members include:

• Scott Kennedy, Managing Partner and Professional Indemnity Team Leader
• Paul Garnon, Partner
• Clive Curwood, Consultant
• Kiley Hodges, Partner
• Craig Hyde, Special Counsel
• Brian Trist, Senior Associate
• Sally Morshead, Senior Associate