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Commercial Dispute Solicitors

Even the best-run business can sometimes run into problems with customers, suppliers, local authorities or other individuals and organisations. If not handled correctly, these commercial disputes can end up costing your business a lot of money and time, as well as having the potential to damage your reputation.

Chattertons' commercial litigation team routinely acts in damages and negligence disputes for a wide range of businesses, helping to achieve positive outcomes without the need for court action wherever possible.

We are commercially astute and understand the importance of finding legal solutions that match your overall business goals. By taking a creative and pragmatic approach, we can typically help you get the outcome you need quickly and cost-effectively, while protecting your long-term interests.

For fast, cost-effective dispute resolution for your business, please contact your local Chattertons office or you can request a call back.

Why choose Chattertons for business dispute resolution?

Our dispute resolution team, headed by David Rogerson, is recognised by the Legal500 (one of the largest UK independent client guides) as a leading set within the East Midlands. We have been recognised as "having a strong track record handling partnership disputes” and having “developed a niche representing clients in gambling disputes".

In addition to those particular areas of expertise, we also recently successfully represented a major client in complex IT litigation and regularly act in a wide range of other business disputes.

Chattertons has extensive experience in resolving disputes either through alternative dispute resolution, mediation or court action. We have litigation specialist lawyers throughout all of our offices, providing a real litigation powerhouse for businesses, educational establishments and local authorities.

We aim to make the process of resolving business disputes as simple and cost-effective as possible while ensuring that you are fully appraised on the prospects of success and likely costs associated with any particular course of action. That way you can always make an informed choice about how to move forward.

Our business dispute resolution expertise

Our business dispute resolution solicitors’ services include:

  • Contractual disputes
  • Property and construction disputes
  • Commercial leases
  • Professional negligence claims against accountants, surveyors, architects and other solicitors
  • Shareholder disputes
  • Partnership disputes
  • Intellectual property disputes
  • Commercial debt recovery

THE UK LEGAL 500

 

Chattertons Commercial Litigation team is recommended in the Legal 500 and ranked as a Tier 2 firm within the East Midlands.

WHAT THE LEGAL 500 SAYS ABOUT US? 

Newark-based David Rogerson leads the disputes practice at Chattertons, which acts for a variety of local clients, including a number of agricultural businesses, ecclesiastical institutions, and individuals. In Lincoln, Annette Wood and Nigel Bescoby - a ‘first-rate solicitor‘ - are noted for their experience in contract claims, landlord and tenant disputes, contentious probate and debt related matters. Noted for his capabilities in private individuals work, Boston-based David John - who joined from Sills & Betteridge LLP in early 2022 - is highly experienced in real estate disputes, division of the net sale proceeds claims, and contested wills and estates. 

Practice head(s): David Rogerson

Other key lawyers: Nigel Bescoby; Annette WoodDavid John

Testimonials

‘Nigel Bescoby is a first-rate solicitor. He provides client focused on point legal advice, his turnaround time is great, and he is a real team player.’

‘Nigel Bescoby is versatile, unflappable and has a reassuring manner with clients.’

‘Chattertons has expertise in every field, and every expert is a cut above the rest that you would find in any other company.’

Work highlights

  • Acted for a regional house builder defending a claim of £150,000 relating to alleged defects.
  • Advising SVF Estate Property Management Limited in a dispute relating to unlawfully installed broadband in a block of flats.
  • Acting for leading company in rotational mould production relating to £300,000 breach of contract claim with customer.

How we can help you to solve business disputes

Our approach to dealing with a business dispute has to reflect your priorities. Typically, clients tell us that they want to avoid court proceedings and get the matter sorted out as quickly and inexpensively as possible. It is also often desirable to maintain a positive business relationship with the other party involved in the dispute.

For these reasons, we will typically try to find an amicable solution first. There are various methods we can use depending on your circumstances and which approach you feel comfortable with.

Letter before action

Often, a well-drafted letter from our team is all that is required to secure a positive outcome for a dispute. We can set out your position, your desired outcome, the relevant legislation and what follow-up action you will take if a satisfactory conclusion cannot be reached. We can also advise on any response you receive or a letter before action sent by another party.

Round the table meetings

Our solicitors can support and represent you in sit down meetings with the other party and their legal representatives with the goal of negotiating a voluntary agreement to resolve your dispute. We will make sure your position is clearly presented and that your interests are protected at all times.

Commercial mediation

If you are comfortable working directly with the other party to agree a way forward, we can advise you on using mediation to resolve your dispute. This will take place over a series of meetings overseen by a trained mediator who will help to keep the process productive and defuse any potential for conflict. Mediation is often the least expensive and fastest way to resolve disputes.

Commercial litigation in court

If a voluntary agreement cannot be reached, we can guide you through every stage of taking court action to resolve your dispute. We will ensure your case is prepared effectively and that you have the best available representation, so you can be confident of securing the outcome you need at your hearing.

Clients often ask us...

 

Do I need to go to court to solve a business dispute?

In most cases, we can resolve business disputes without the need for court action by using Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR). This often makes it faster to resolve disputes, as you do not need to wait for a court date, as well as costing you less in legal fees.

ADR can also allow you to keep the matter private and help you maintain a better relationship with the person or organisation you are in dispute with, which can be essential if you need to keep doing business together in future.

How does Alternative Dispute Resolution work?

Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) is the name for a variety of different methods intended to allow commercial disputes to be resolved without the need for court action.

The process can involve a number of different approaches, including negotiation and mediation. The goal is to allow you to agree a mutually acceptable solution with the person or organisation you are in dispute with, serving both of your interests.

Can I recover the cost of litigation from the other party?

In both County Court and High Court litigation, the loser will commonly be required to make a contribution towards the winner’s legal fees. However, this will only be decided after the judge has given a ruling and will usually cover around 70-80% of the winner’s legal fees.

How long does commercial litigation take?

This completely depends on the circumstances. If both parties can agree a solution through negotiation, mediation or other Alternative Dispute Resolution methods, it can be possible to achieve a positive result in a matter of days or weeks. However, if court action is required it can take significantly longer.

During your initial consultation we will discuss the various options with you and give an indication of how long the process may take to help guide you in your decision making.

Can attempting Alternative Dispute Resolution affect my chances in court?

Generally speaking, any statements you make - either verbally or in writing - when attempting ADR will be covered by the ‘without prejudice’ rule. This means they cannot usually be used as evidence against you if the matter does ultimately go to court.

This is intended to ensure that both parties feel able to talk freely during alternative dispute resolution, knowing that if they are willing to give ground during these proceedings it will not later harm their position in court.

Contact our commercial dispute resolution solicitors

If you need fast, cost-effective dispute resolution for your business, please get in touch with your local Chattertons office or use our contact form to request a call back.