Dispute Resolution Solicitors - Our Panel of Experts

Dispute resolution solicitors are legal professionals who specialise in resolving conflicts between parties through various means. Commercial disputes often arise from contractual disagreements, property issues, business conflicts, or personal matters. Dispute resolution solicitors play a crucial role in helping individuals and businesses reach an amicable solution on these issues.

Their primary aim is to resolve disputes in the most efficient and cost-effective manner. This is done to reduce the need for lengthy litigation. Working with a dispute resolution solicitor can significantly reduce the stress, time, and cost associated with resolving conflicts.

At Expert Commercial Law, we have access to a highly experienced panel of commercial dispute resolution solicitors who are available to assist you with your case. If you would like more information on how we can assist you, then please contact us today.

Types of commercial disputes

Commercial disputes can arise for a variety of reasons. Here are some common types of disputes that we deal with:

Contract disputes
These occur when one party alleges a breach of contract. This can include non-performance, late delivery, or failure to meet agreed terms. This is one of the most common forms of commercial dispute.

Partnership and shareholder disputes
Disputes among business partners or shareholders can happen for a variety of reasons. These may involve disagreements over decision-making, profit-sharing, breach of duties, or mismanagement of business assets.

Intellectual property (IP) disputes
These disputes involve infringement, fraud, or illegal use of trademarks, patents, copyrights, or trade secrets.

Employment disputes
Conflicts between employers and employees over contracts are common. Wrongful termination, discrimination, unpaid wages, or breach of non-compete agreements all fall under this category.

Debt recovery disputes
These disputes arise when one party seeks to recover unpaid debts. Debt recovery disputes often involve businesses trying to collect from customers or suppliers who have failed to fulfill their financial obligations.

Real estate and property disputes
Conflicts can arise over the leasing, purchase, or use of commercial property. This includes disputes over lease terms, property boundaries, and development agreements.

Mergers and acquisitions disputes
These arise from disagreements in the negotiation, terms, or execution of mergers and acquisitions. This includes issues with due diligence, valuation, or compliance with regulatory requirements.

Construction disputes
Arising from construction contracts, these disputes involve issues such as delays, cost overruns, defective work, or disagreements over payment schedules.

Commercial dispute resolution methods

Commercial disputes can be resolved through various alternative dispute resolution (ADR) methods. The methods chosen will depend on the nature of the dispute and the preferences of the parties involved.

The simplest and most direct method is negotiation. This involves the parties discussing the dispute and trying to reach a mutual agreement without the involvement of third parties. This process can the most cost-effective and helps to preserve business relationships.

Mediation is another alternative to litigation. In mediation, a neutral third party (the mediator) facilitates discussions between the disputing parties to help them reach a mutually acceptable resolution. The mediator does not impose a decision but helps guide the parties toward a solution.

Mediation is confidential, quick, and less costly than litigation. It also preserves relationships, as the parties control the outcome. Mediation often results in a win-win situation.

Another alternative dispute resolution method available is arbitration. Arbitration is a more formal process where the disputing parties present their case to an independent arbitrator or panel of arbitrators. The arbitrator makes a legally binding decision on the matter, similar to a court judgment.

Arbitration is faster than court litigation, private, and the arbitrator’s decision is final and enforceable. It allows for experts in specialised fields and is less challenging than court proceedings.

In addition to handling disputes in court, our panel of solicitors have extensive experience with alternative dispute resolution methods. This includes mediation, arbitration, and expert determination. While not all of these options may be suitable for your case, we will always discuss them with you at the appropriate time to determine the best approach.

How can dispute resolution solicitors assist?

Commercial dispute resolution solicitors play a pivotal role in helping parties resolve commercial disputes efficiently and effectively. They provide legal expertise and support throughout the legal process. Their assistance can be crucial in achieving a favourable outcome.

Dispute resolution solicitors are well-versed in all aspects of law. They can analyse the legal aspects of the dispute and provide clients with a clear understanding of their rights and obligations.

Solicitors often assist clients in avoiding disputes before they escalate. They can draft clear contracts, advise on potential risks, and setting up dispute resolution procedures within agreements (e.g., arbitration clauses). Early legal advice can prevent conflicts from turning into formal disputes, saving time and costs for all parties involved.

Solicitors assess the merits of the dispute, the strengths and weaknesses of each party’s position, and potential risks. This evaluation helps clients make informed decisions about how to proceed.

Commercial dispute resolution solicitors can engage in early stage negotiations on behalf of their clients. This helps to find common ground and reach a settlement. They use their negotiation skills to resolve disputes amicably and cost-effectively.

Construction dispute resolution solicitors can also assist in alternative dispute resolution (ADR), such as mediation or arbitration. In these cases, dispute resolution solicitors can represent their client during the ADR process. They can prepare arguments and present evidence to facilitate discussions between the parties. In terms of arbitration, dispute resolution solicitors will attempt to get a positive binding decision for their clients.

If the dispute escalates to litigation, solicitors handle the legal proceedings on behalf of their clients. They draft legal documents, present arguments in court, and advocate for their clients before a judge or jury.

How are dispute cases dealt with?

When an individual or company becomes involved in litigation, it can be highly stressful, even if the case never goes to court. With our experience, we manage cases with sensitivity and our panel of dispute resolution solicitors will guide you through every step of the process. One of the first and most important steps is opening communication with your opponent. While it is helpful if your opponent has legal representation, our panel of dispute resolution solicitors are well-equipped to handle cases where they are not represented.

We recognise that, in some cases, preserving business relationships may be your priority, while in others, maintaining cash flow and securing payment may be more critical.

Our panel of dispute resolution solicitors will always provide early advice on how to achieve the best and most practical outcome for you or your business. This includes an upfront assessment of the likely costs and risks involved in your case.

Who do we assist?

If you play a key role in driving your company’s success, we can provide a dispute resolution lawyer from our panel to ensure your business is well-protected. We frequently assist:

• Senior Executives: including CEOs, CFOs, General Counsels, real estate directors, HR professionals, risk managers, and business owners
• Individuals: including shareholders, directors, buyers, business clients, or investors
• Businesses: we assist a range of businesses in the UK. Our panel can offer tailored advice depending on the market that they operate in

Why choose Expert Commercial Law?

If you are currently involved in a dispute and you are unsure of the process or require expert assistance, then our panel of dispute resolution solicitors can help you.

Our specialist dispute resolution team have a strong track record of successful outcomes. They offer a wide range of strategic advice and assistance. All of the commercial dispute resolution solicitors on our panel have the experience and expertise required to take on your case.

Each solicitor is vetted before being allowed onto our panel, and we only select the best in the business. All of our solicitor firms are authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA).

Our commercial litigation lawyers also help with other commercial claims, such as director disputes and CCJ removal.

Please note we are not a firm of solicitors. However, we maintain a panel of trusted and regulated legal experts. If you contact us in relation to a commercial law case, we will pass your case on to a panel firm in return for a fee from our panel firms. We will never charge you for passing on your case to a panel firm.