Where a solicitor negligently allows a client's claim to become statute-barred, the client's cause of action against the solicitor accrues when the original action becomes time-barred. The Hawkins v Clayton exception (postponing accrual where the negligent act itself precludes the bringing of proceedings) does not apply where the solicitor's negligence in failing to sue a third party does not conceal from the client the existence of a potential claim against the solicitor. The question whether a solicitor owes a duty to advise a client to sue the solicitor itself was left open.
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