Volunteering advice beyond the terms of an engagement letter can land professionals in hot water after an accountant was found liable for giving negligent tax advice not requested by his client.

The case of Hossein Mehjoo v Harben Barker has implications for all professionals.  It illustrates the risk of assuming responsibility for giving advice which has not been requested and the obligation on professionals to identify the need for specialist advice that they are unable to provide.

Mr Mehjoo brought a claim for £1.4 million in unpaid tax, penalties and interest against his accountant Harben Barker after he unsuccessfully attempted to avoid paying £850,000 in Capital Gains Tax on the sale of his shares in a fashion business.  He claimed that his accountant failed to direct him to an appropriate non-domiciled tax specialist who would have advised him on an appropriate tax avoidance scheme.

Harben Barker argued that it was not obliged to give Mr Mehjoo tax planning advice unless they were expressly asked to do so, nor were they obliged to advise Mr Mehjoo to obtain tax planning advice from a specialist.

The court found in favour of Mr Mejoo.  It decided that there was a clear understanding between Mr Mehjoo and his accountant that it was required to consider Mr Mehjoo’s tax position even where the advice had not been specifically sought.  The relationship between Mr Mehjoo and his accountant had developed over 20 years from originally completing annual returns to latterly advising on all aspects of Mr Mehjoo’s business and personal financial affairs.  The judge decided this progression constituted a variation from the terms of a retainer letter dated 1999.

“This case is a warning of the significance of conduct on the scope of a professional’s retainer and therefore how careful professionals have to be to avoid giving advice beyond the terms of their retainer ,” said James Burgoyne, Director, Brunel Professional Risks.  “The key is to make sure that not only is there an express written agreement between the professional and client defining the  extent of advice to be offered, but also that the firm operates ongoing protocols and audits to manage staff, projects and client accounts. Risk Management needs to apply regularly throughout the process, and not just at the inception of a client relationship.”

The Mehjoo case has been reported by solicitors Clyde and Co, Kennedys and Reynolds Porter Chamberlain.