Jonathan Watmough
Jonathan leads the PNC Legal team. Having originally qualified as a barrister in 2000, Jonathan cross-qualified as a solicitor in 2003. Subsequently, and before establishing PNC Legal, he practised at a series of large international law firms.
Since qualifying as a solicitor, Jonathan has specialised exclusively in professional negligence claims. In that time, he has acted on behalf of many of the UK’s leading professional indemnity insurers and represented a wide range of policyholders, including solicitors, accountants, auditors, financial advisers, surveyors, valuers, insurance brokers, structural engineers, project managers, IT consultants, agronomists, health & safety consultants, estate agents and managing agents.
This experience has provided Jonathan not only with an extensive knowledge and understanding of professional negligence claims and the pitfalls that surround them, but also with a rare insight into the way in which such claims are handled by those that insure against them.
The nature and complexity of the claims that Jonathan has advised on has varied greatly, as has the value, ranging from tens of thousands of pounds to many millions.
As a solicitor, Jonathan has been repeatedly ‘recommended’ for professional negligence claims by The Legal 500, one of the UK’s leading independent legal directories. In the 2017 edition he is praised for his ‘superb eye for detail and commercial mind’ and for ‘always thinking one step ahead’, while in the 2024 edition he is described as an ‘expert in his field’ and for being ‘extremely diligent, practical and professional in his approach.’
Jonathan has also been annually ‘ranked’ for professional negligence claims in the highly esteemed Chambers & Partners UK legal directories, in each of the editions from 2018 to 2024. These record the consistent admiration he receives for the quality of his advice and for being ‘very pleasant, patient and understanding’ with clients. They also record that he has a ‘concise and clear communication style and demonstrates total attention to detail’. Jonathan is a member of The Law Society of England & Wales and the Professional Negligence Lawyers Association.
Away from the office and as well as spending time with family and friends, Jonathan enjoys cycling, running and tennis.
