Scrutton LJ said: ‘it would be extremely difficult to define the exact limit by which the skill and diligence which a solicitor undertakes to furnish in the conduct of a case is bounded, or to trace precisely the dividing line between that reasonable skill and diligence which appears to satisfy his undertaking, and that crassa negligentia, or lata culpa mentioned in some of the cases, for which he is undoubtedly responsible. It is a question of degree and there is a borderland within which it is difficult to say whether a breach of duty has or has not been committed.’
Judges:
Scrutton LJ
Citations:
[1920] 1 KB 275
Jurisdiction:
England and Wales
Cited by:
Cited – G and K Ladenbau (UK) Ltd v Crawley and De Reya QBD 25-Apr-1977
The defendant solicitors acted for the plaintiff in the purchase of land, but failed to undertake a commons search which would have revealed an entry which would prevent the client pursuing his development. The defect was discovered only when . .
Cited – Simmons v Pennington and Son CA 1955
Solicitors Followed Historical Practice
Premises owned by the plaintiff were subject to an obsolete covenant restricting their use to that of a private dwelling house. It had in fact been used continuously for many years, both before and after the plaintiff became owner, for business . .
Lists of cited by and citing cases may be incomplete.
Legal Professions, Professional Negligence
Updated: 10 June 2022; Ref: scu.182176