Specialist Business Dispute Resolution Lawyers
Our Business Dispute Solicitors understand that disagreements and problems crop up far too often in business – and that getting caught up in commercial litigation can soon put a real strain on both management time and resources.
We always offer FREE initial phone advice with no strings attached. Call our highly experienced Business Dispute Resolution team on 01722 422300 or FREEPHONE 0800 1404544.
Business Disputes – the extent of the problem
Research published by the Legal Services Board in April 2022 shows exactly how serious the problem is. In a survey of 10,228 small businesses in England and Wales, a huge 32% of them had a legal problem in the previous 12 months – and a huge 55% of respondents, when asked how serious the issues were, said that those problems had a medium or high impact on the business in question.
And that impact is not just financial. Previous LSB research also estimated that over 1 million individuals in small businesses nationwide suffered ill health as a direct result of business disputes.
Your Commercial Dispute – How we can help you
Our expert Commercial Litigation Solicitors have a depth of experience and a strong a record of resolving disputes for both large and small businesses.
We take a robust approach in protecting your interests to improve the prospects of bringing your legal dispute to the best possible result.
We represent businesses throughout Wiltshire, Hampshire, Dorset and Somerset – and further afield – from our offices in Salisbury, Andover, Fordingbridge and Amesbury.
Our Commercial Litigation Expertise
A significant number of the cases our team handle relate to internal business issues, including director, shareholder and partnership disputes. In addition our commercial dispute solicitors have particular specialist experience in a number of fields including property and construction disputes, along with regular professional negligence claims.
However, our commercial litigation team provides practical solutions and cost-effective legal advice on a wide range of business disputes including:
- Building disputes
- Commercial contract disputes
- Commercial injunctions
- Company disputes
- Debt recovery
- Directors disputes
- Disputes with customers
- Family business disputes
- Insurance claims
- Joint venture disputes
- Landlord and tenant disputes
- Partnership Dissolution
- Professional negligence claim
- Property disputes, including forfeiture of a commercial lease
- Shareholder disputes
The problem with running commercial litigation where the value of the claim is £10k or less.
If the value of your business dispute is under £10,000, you can use the small claims track in the County Court.
But there is a problem. Although the small claims system is designed for reasonably straightforward claims, and it can be an efficient way of handling disputes without large legal costs, there is a problem. You’re not normally able to claim your legal costs from the other side even if you win. ~
As a result, it’s often not economically viable for solicitors to represent clients in the Small Claims Court – simply because the legal bill in representing you fully in any contested Court hearing may eat up most if not all of the amount your claim..
Who do our commercial litigation team help?
Our experienced dispute solicitors regularly deal with a variety of clients in various business sectors, including:
• Individuals – company directors, shareholders, business customers, investors and business owners themselves
• Businesses – throughout England and Wales, with particular experience of acting for property developers and investors and developers
Click here to read more about our specialist property investor team
Your business dispute – your legal costs may be much less than you think
Depending on your circumstances, it’s quite likely that the best way to start off will be with a carefully crafted solicitor’s letter. We can set out the problem, the legal position, the solution you’re seeking and indicate what further action you’re prepared to take if a reasonable settlement can’t be reached.
These letters are surprisingly effective and quite often will resolve, or help to resolve the problem swiftly.
And rest assured that the experience of our commercial dispute solicitors means that we will make sure that the letter sets the right tone – particularly if it’s important for you to keep a reasonable relationship with the other party going forward.
And if that 1st letter doesn’t do the trick – we can handle any necessary follow-up, whether it’s negotiation mediation or court application.
Will we have to go to court?
Although it may be necessary, to be frank, having to rely on a fully contested hearing before a judge in court is the last resort. Except on the rare event where there are very urgent issues involved (requiring some form of injunction perhaps), fully contested litigation is slow, stressful and can be painfully expensive. And however good your solicitor is, it’s rare that the outcome is guaranteed.
So issuing court proceedings should never be done without some serious consideration. Contacting our team will provide an opportunity for you to run the circumstances of your particular position past our expert lawyers who can give you an initial view on your best option – and in particular whether an application to court at such an early stage is best for you. In most, but not all, cases trying other options such as commercial mediation or arbitration may be your best move on day one.
Your Business Dispute – the importance of commercial mediation and other dispute resolution
Sadly, as the Legal Services Board research mentioned above shows, most businesses become involved in some form of legal dispute at one stage or another. And those have gone through it know how time consuming, stressful and expensive court proceedings can be.
That’s why here at Bonallack & Bishop, our commercial litigation solicitors recommend a practical and cost-effective strategy aimed at dispute resolution rather than conflict. And what’s more we try to do so at an early stage before significant legal costs begin to mount up and before the party’s respective positions get entrenched.
That doesn’t mean we won’t fight your corner – but it does mean we recognise the importance of settling our clients business disputes as efficiently and effectively as possible, with a strong emphasis on keeping your legal costs down, whilst safeguarding your legal position.
Rest assured that our business dispute team together has considerable experience in successfully settling commercial litigation using negotiation, commercial arbitration and mediation. But equally, where appropriate, we don’t hesitate in resorting to litigation to help you reach the right commercial outcome.
Commercial Litigation – FREE Initial Legal Advice on the Phone
Don’t suffer in silence. Far too many business owners simply don’t know where they stand – and worry about running up a huge legal bill if they appoint a solicitor for their business dispute.
But our commercial litigation team have the answer. We are always happy to give you free initial legal advice over the phone, and that can often solve your problem – and at least it will help to put your mind at rest.
So don’t delay. Call us today for your free initial phone legal advice on your business dispute.
And we have a number of ways to cover your legal bill including;
- Fixed fees
- A choice of funding methods
- Payment by instalments
Delays in the civil justice system
Given how expensive and disruptive litigation can be, the current huge level of backlogs in the County Court mean that the system is going even slower than usual.
As reported in June 6, 2024, the Civil Justice Statistics Quarterly Average times were bad enough for small claims – which averaged 51.6 weeks – and worse still for multi/fast track claims going to trial after a remarkable 82.9 weeks.
These backlogs provide even better reasons than previously for getting the right legal advice and considering mediation, arbitration or an alternative to trial.
Getting the right legal advice for your business dispute – don’t delay
In our experience, it’s really important to address any problems as soon as possible. The sooner you do so, the more likely it is that you can avoid it turning into a business disputes – or worse still and commercial litigation. Because the alternative is very unattractive – unresolved and protracted disputes can prove very stressful and very expensive. And that’s why it’s in everybody’s interests to find a solution to your business problem swiftly and efficiently.
And there are plenty of other reasons why it’s important to get the right advice at an early stage when dealing with any sort of business dispute including the following:
• Firstly, memories are short – so collecting evidence as soon as possible can make a big difference
• Secondly the worry that many people suffer with potential commercial litigation hanging over them can be considerable. Getting the right advice at an early stage can often put your mind at rest.
• Thirdly, never leave a dispute too long. The may well be a time limit on your particular type of case – so delay could mean that you lose your right to claim entirely.
And don’t forget, that initial phone call with one of our expert lawyers about your business dispute is FREE. Simply call the team on FREEPHONE 0800 1404544.
So for your no obligation discussion with one of our expert business dispute solicitors – call us today and let us explain your legal rights and options
