Litigation Solicitors
Our litigation solicitors are able to help you with a wide range of disputes. We know that any dispute, small or large, can be a stressful experience, especially if you are unsure about the costs and the litigation process.
Our litigation and dispute resolution lawyers regularly handle a wide range of civil and commercial litigation matters and we can provide practical and specialist advice with the aim of resolving your dispute quickly and cost-effectively.
Wherever possible, we will seek to settle disputes by negotiation, aiming to resolve matters before it turns into litigation. In many cases, disputes can be resolved by using alternative dispute resolution (ADR) methods such as mediation and arbitration. These procedures tend to be more informal and less adversarial than going to Court. Our dispute resolutions lawyers will work for you to reach a mutually satisfactory outcome to both parties.
We have helped with the following situations:-
- Issues between the Tenant and Landlord
- Boundary disputes
- Property disagreements
- Conflicts with retailers, suppliers or service providers
- Contract disputes (employment and others)
- Claims on the estate of someone who has passed away
- Professional negligence
- Where you are having problems repaying debts
Contact our specialist litigation solicitors today
Contact our litigation solicitors today should you require assistance.
Our litigation services
Employment
Our litigation solicitors are able to support both employees and employers with disputes in the workplace.
We are often asked to advise in relation to Settlement Agreements which arise when the relationship between employee and employer has broken down such that an agreement is reached for the employee to leave. Settlement Agreements are usually prepared by the employer’s solicitors and we are able to advise employees on the terms of the Agreement and if necessary, undertake negotiations to ensure the Agreement is favourable to you.
We are also able to provide advice on potential claims in respect of discrimination, harassment and unfair treatment as well as providing support and representation for any tribunal proceedings.
Contract disputes
From recovering an unpaid invoice to misrepresentation claims, our litigation and dispute resolution lawyers are able to advise and assist on a wide range of contract disputes.
The circumstances surrounding every contract, whether written or verbal, are always different and we will take time to understand the entire situation and background before advising you, to ensure that we are able to advise you in a clear and practical manner.
Our litigation solicitors are experienced in dealing with breach of contract claims, misrepresentation claims, partnership disputes and debt recovery.
Landlord & tenant disputes
Landlord & tenant disputes can cover a wide range of issues – from unpaid rent to forfeiture of leases.
Our litigation lawyers are experienced in both residential and commercial Landlord & Tenant issues. In respect of residential tenancies, our litigation solicitors are able to assist with recovering possession of houses from tenants; recovering unpaid rent/service charge payments; and breaches of covenants (by either Landlord or Tenant).
In respect of commercial tenancies, we are able to advise on forfeiture and the risks and processes involved with this; we are also able to assist our Commercial Property department with the service of notices in respect of Lease Renewals and Dilapidations claims.
Boundary disputes
We often receive enquiries relating to boundaries, particularly where ownership of the neighbouring property has changed and that change has prompted questions about the exact location of the boundary. Because these enquiries typically relate to people’s homes, our dispute resolution lawyers know that this can be a particularly sensitive and stressful issue. We will take time to review the deeds to the property and understand the background to the property to enable us to advise on the next steps available to you, to resolve the dispute.
Often with boundary disputes, it will be necessary to engage the services of a surveyor; we have experience of dealing with local surveyors and will be able to assist you with instruction of a suitable expert if that it necessary.
Wills disputes
Having lost a family member or friend, it can be particularly upsetting to find out that the Will doesn’t contain what you were expecting or that someone else considers there is an issue with the Will.
Our litigation lawyers are experienced in reviewing Wills and the background to their preparation, in order to advise on potential claims in respect of the Will. There can be issues with regard to the capacity and understanding of the person who made the Will; undue influence by a third party; or the execution of the Will. There can also be issues with regard to the duties of the appointed Executors and dealing with dependants who have been excluded.
Professional Negligence
We understand that it can be disappointing and frustrating to have been let down by a professional – whether that’s a surveyor, accountant or even a solicitor.
Our litigation solicitors are able to listen to your experience and advise on whether there has been any negligence; we are then able to work with you to achieve a suitable outcome and resolution to the issues.
Why choose our litigation solicitors?
Our litigation solicitors are experienced in a wide range of dispute types and are committed to using their knowledge and expertise to assist in resolving disputes and claims.
Having taken the time to understand the issues and problems being experienced, our dispute resolution lawyers are able to appreciate your concerns and use their experience to achieve a satisfactory outcome.
Whilst it is not always possible to avoid Court proceedings, our litigation lawyers actively encourage other means of resolving disputes such as negotiation through correspondence, mediation and arbitration. Understanding our clients’ goals allows our litigation lawyers to consider constructive solutions which will be more cost-effective that court proceedings.
In the event court proceedings cannot be avoided, our litigation solicitors are committed to supporting you through the litigation process and taking a robust approach.
Frequently asked questions about litigation
What is litigation?
Litigation is the process of taking legal action against someone else to resolve a dispute. In the UK, there are certain protocols/procedures to follow to bring a claim against someone else, with those steps designed to encourage resolution of the dispute outside of court proceedings, which are invariably stressful and costly.
The first step in litigation is to send a Letter before Claim setting out the details and background to the claim being made, to enable the other party to understand the situation and be given any supporting evidence. A formal Letter of Response is then sent to confirm the other party’s position and any evidence they may have. These first two letters enable both parties to a dispute to understand the issues involved in the dispute and the consider potential settlement options or Alternative Dispute Resolution proposals.
How much does litigation cost?
Each dispute is different and it is never possible to provide an accurate estimate of how much litigation will cost as this will depend on the complexity of the claim; the attitude of the other party; whether negotiation/settlement is possible; or whether court proceedings go through to a defended Court hearing.
Our litigation solicitors charge on an hourly rate basis and will discuss costs with you at the outset of any dispute. If you have limited funds available, it is important that this is discussed with your solicitor as this may impact on the approach taken and case plan. Our dispute resolution lawyers will always work with you in respect of costs and are happy to work to ‘costs limits’ to ensure you are in control of the amount being incurred with regular costs updates given and discussed throughout the claim.
How long does the dispute resolution process take?
How long a claim will take to be resolved will depend on the complexity of the issues and whether there is any scope for settlement outside of formal court proceedings.
Some straightforward cases may be resolved within a few months following the preparation and sending of a Letter of Claim; others may take years to resolve due to unsuccessful settlement discussions and the need for a Judge to determine the outcome by way of a hearing.
Due to their experience, our litigation solicitors are able to offer support and patience during those times that a claim is taking a long time to resolve; we understand that delays can be frustrating and add to the stress of a dispute but are able to provide practical advice as to whether such delays are normal/expected or if not, what steps can be taken to move things forward.
What is alternative dispute resolution?
Alternative dispute resolution, or ADR, is any method of resolving a dispute outside of formal court proceedings.
The most commonly used form of ADR is mediation, where an independent professional mediator is appointed to aid in each party in reaching an agreement to end the dispute. Whilst mediation is not a cheap process, it can often be successful and is more cost-effective than court proceedings. Our litigation lawyers are experienced at arranging and attending mediations and will be able to support you through that process.
ADR can also include more simple actions such as negotiation through correspondence (the making of settlement offers, for example); or an informal meeting between the parties to see if there is any common ground which will allow things to move forward.
Once our dispute resolution lawyers have been able to consider the facts of a dispute, they will be able to discuss which forms of ADR may be appropriate to enable you to consider the same.
Contact our litigation solicitors today
If you have a dispute or potential dispute you would like to discuss with us, please do not hesitate to contact our experienced litigation solicitors. We have offices at: