Chapter 24 PROFESSIONAL LIABILITY GRAHAM REID and STUART WHITE 1. INTRODUCTION What is a professional? 24.1 The concept of a “professional” is an elusive one. The term “professionalism” is frequently used as a synonym for dedication and competence, in circumstances where it is clear that no professional retainer between client and adviser in a legal sense is in contemplation—for example, the manner in which the military and emergency services frequently describe their skills and attributes in publicity materials.