Business Disputes
Get in touch today
Providing clarity and direction in commercial conflict
Disputes between businesses are, unfortunately, a common feature of commercial life. When they arise, they can be time-consuming and disruptive and may carry financial, operational or reputational risk. Our role is to help you manage those risks, understand your options and resolve the matter with clarity and purpose.
We act for clients in a wide range of business disputes, many involving allegations of breach of contract, unpaid fees, or the provision of below-standard goods or services. In every case, our focus is on achieving a cost-effective resolution that supports your commercial objectives and reflects your broader priorities.
We combine legal expertise with commercial insight and a calm, measured approach. Our aim is not simply to litigate, but to help you identify the most effective resolution.
When clients seek our advice
Clients typically approach us when a business relationship has broken down. They may be seeking payment for goods or services, responding to concerns about the quality of their own delivery, or managing a disagreement where both sides are bringing claims.
Sometimes, the relationship is ongoing and the priority is to resolve the issue without damaging future cooperation – we are experienced in helping clients resolve disputes in ways that preserve commercial relationships and avoid unnecessary escalation.
The legal questions often centre on whether contractual obligations have been met. A party may allege that services were not delivered to the agreed standard, that goods were not of satisfactory quality or that payment terms or other provisions of the contract have been breached. The financial value of these claims varies widely, but the need for a clear and proportionate response is consistent. We also regularly advise on disputes involving allegations of breach of other legal obligations, such as claims of professional negligence, fraud or breach of confidence.
Get in touch today
Understanding risk and value
When you instruct us, we begin by reviewing the underlying facts and relevant documentation, such as any written contract and key communications between the parties. Together with our discussions with you, this enables us to provide initial advice on the strength and challenges of your legal position, the potential value of any claim or defence, and possible outcomes at different stages.
This includes explaining how the claim may be valued in practice, taking account of factors such as notice provisions, the duty to mitigate loss and calculation of loss of profit (in each case where relevant). It also includes providing early and regular information on the likely costs of litigation as described below, so that these can be meaningfully factored into commercial decision-making.
We also provide advice on how your position should be presented. This may include the steps required before issuing proceedings, such as setting out the basis of the claim, exchanging relevant documents, and considering whether negotiation or mediation is appropriate. These are not only procedural steps required by the courts but also an opportunity to explore resolution at an early stage and reduce the impact of the dispute.
Reducing cost and disruption
Business disputes can be resolved through the courts, but litigation is often not the most effective option. The process can be expensive and time-consuming, with a level of uncertainty that businesses often find unwelcome. It can also divert significant management time and attention away from core business activities.
Alternative approaches, including negotiation and mediation, are often more efficient. Mediation is well-established and frequently successful, allowing parties to explore creative solutions that a court could not impose, and sometimes preserving commercial relationships.
Where litigation is necessary, we help clients manage the process proportionately. From the outset, we provide a clear picture of the likely costs, timelines and procedural steps, and we update these regularly as the matter progresses.
Our team prepares evidence, coordinates disclosure of relevant documents, develops legal arguments and manages procedural and substantive hearings. And in parallel, we continue to consider opportunities at each stage to resolve the matter out of court where appropriate.
One of our senior lawyers is typically responsible for your matter from instruction through to resolution. This ensures continuity of service and gives you direct access to a lawyer with the experience and judgement your matter requires. Where particular tasks – such as document preparation or disclosure – can be handled more efficiently by junior colleagues, we allocate them appropriately, keeping costs proportionate without compromising quality.
Our streamlined structure makes us particularly well-placed to support clients with mid-value disputes: matters that require careful strategic oversight but are not well suited to the larger, multi-layered teams found in many City or international firms. This model enables us to deliver expert, efficient support, particularly in disputes where the cost of full-scale litigation may outweigh the benefits.
A pragmatic and commercially astute approach
For every client, we aim to deliver outcomes that are not only legally sound, but also commercially astute. A dispute may involve a single transaction or carry broader implications, such as the reputation of the business, the setting of legal precedent or the sustainability of ongoing relationships.
We work with you to understand your priorities, tailoring our advice to reflect the nature of your business and the risks involved. In doing so, we help avoid unnecessary escalation and maintain focus on your commercial objectives.
We are committed to helping clients achieve early, cost-effective resolution wherever possible. However, when litigation is required, we draw on our extensive experience to represent you with clarity and determination. Our advice is always strategic, rooted in both legal insight and a practical understanding of what matters most to your business.
If you would like support with a business dispute, please get in touch today.
Our Commercial Disputes Team
