BUILDING KNOWLEDGE AND THE GENERAL PRACTICE SURVEYOR — 2

There has been a large increase in the number of negligence claims made against members of the profession over recent years. This may be due to a growing awareness of the right to claim and/or a lowering of the standard of advice given. Whichever is true, the matter is of importance. The legal decisions of courts are a critical indicator of the expertise required from a professional person. A case of proven negligence shows that a defendant has fallen below the standard of service required by the public. The law examined here is that relating to mortgage valuations and structural surveys, as many actions are brought in this area, and it is an important field in the employment of building knowledge.