Richard Whitehouse

I have an extensive commercial practice that covers all types of business and commercial disputes, with a particular emphasis on contract, misrepresentation, partnership and director disputes. I regularly advise and represent businesses in both the County Court and High Court. From my time working as a Solicitor-Advocate, I have significant experience of alternative dispute resolution and, in particular, representing clients at mediations.

My wide ranging commercial disputes experience includes claims relating to:

• Agency
• Consumer credit agreements
• Construction of contracts
• Debt recovery
• Guarantees and indemnities
• Misrepresentation
• Sale of goods and supply of services
• Restrictive covenant disputes.

I also have experience of professional negligence cases and extensive experience of dealing with claims against all professionals including; barristers, solicitors, accountants, brokers, insurers, architects, surveyors and other construction specialists. My experience as a Solicitor-Advocate is invaluable to professional negligence claims against lawyers, having been instructed on claims relating to employment, commercial litigation, property disputes, and personal injury claims.

A few case examples include:

• Lost and/or mishandled litigation claims, including under-settlement claims, missed limitation and failure to advise about funding and costs
• Claims involving errors with leasehold transactions, including negligence relating to lease extensions
• Claims by disappointed beneficiaries and claims arising from mishandled probate disputes
• Claims by and against buyers arising from conveyancing transactions concerning freehold and leasehold property, particularly concerning failure to advise on searches, rights of way and restrictive covenants
• Mishandled ancillary relief claims
• Claims arising from mishandled business sales.

In terms of accountants I’ve handled a variety of claims, including:

• Claims involving the negligent preparation of management accounts and cashflow forecasts
• Acting for a company against accountants, in relation to incorrect VAT advice
• Acting for an individual against accountants, arising from incorrect tax advice and issues involving Entrepreneurs’ Relief.

With regards to surveyors, valuers and architects I’ve acted in:

• Claims by purchasers of residential and commercial properties against surveyors arising from pre-sale surveys
• Claims involving the negligent valuation of premiums required for the extension of leases and incorrect advice about the appointment of premiums
• A claim against an expert witness arising from a planning dispute
• Claims against architects regarding incorrect design drawings and advice in relation to both domestic and commercial projects.

Finally, I’ve advised, and acted for and against, brokers and insurers in claims for failure to implement the correct insurance cover, and for a broker in a claim regarding the failure to advise on the financial status of an insurer.