Disputes & Claims

Contract, debt, professional negligence and mediation.

Most disputes are not really about the law. They are about someone not doing what they said they would, and the difficulty of getting them to put it right without it costing more than it is worth.

We deal with contract disputes, debts owed and disputed, claims against professionals whose advice has cost you money, and consumer problems where a business will not engage.

Our first question is always whether the claim is worth pursuing — not whether you would win, but whether winning would leave you better off. That answer is sometimes no, and we would rather tell you at the outset.

Contracts

A contract does not need to be signed, or even written, to be binding. Verbal agreements and agreements made by conduct are enforceable — the difficulty is proving the terms, which is where emails, invoices and messages become valuable. The usual limitation period is six years, though evidence deteriorates long before that.

Debt

Recovering money owed, and defending demands you don’t accept. Judgment is the beginning of enforcement rather than the end of the matter, and which enforcement route works depends entirely on what the debtor actually has. If you have received a statutory demand, take advice immediately — the deadlines are short and the consequences serious.

Professional negligence

Claims against solicitors, surveyors, accountants and financial advisers whose advice fell below the standard reasonably expected. These claims are demanding: it is not enough to be unhappy with the outcome. Expert evidence on the professional standard is almost always required.

Resolving without court

Courts increasingly expect parties to try alternative dispute resolution, and an unreasonable refusal to mediate can affect the costs you recover even when you win. Mediation costs a fraction of a contested hearing and happens months or years sooner. We suggest it wherever it stands a realistic chance.

Six year limit

Most contract and debt claims must be brought within six years.

Small claims

Below a certain value you generally cannot recover legal costs — we will say so.

Mediate first

Far cheaper, far quicker, and courts expect you to have tried.

Enforcement matters

A judgment is only as good as the debtor’s ability to pay.

How we can help

Consumer disputes

Faulty goods, poor services and businesses that won’t put things right.

Contract disputes

When someone hasn’t done what they agreed to do, and you’re out of pocket as a result.

Debt claims

Recovering money you’re owed, or defending a demand you don’t accept.

Mediation

Resolving a dispute without a courtroom — usually faster, cheaper and less bruising.

Professional negligence

When advice you paid for was wrong, and it has cost you money.

Common questions

Questions people ask us

We never had a written contract. Can I still claim?

Almost certainly. Contracts can be formed verbally or by conduct, and terms about reasonable care, skill and payment are implied by law. What written evidence gives you is proof of the terms, which is why emails and invoices matter so much.

. Is it worth suing for a few thousand pounds?

Often not through the ordinary courts. Lower value claims are dealt with on the small claims track where legal costs are generally not recoverable, meaning you could win and still be out of pocket. We will tell you honestly when you would be better off pursuing it yourself.

I've got a judgment but they still haven't paid.

Judgment is only the start. Options include bailiffs, a charging order against property, attachment of earnings, or a third party debt order against a bank account. Which one works depends on what the debtor owns, and that is worth establishing before spending more.

Who you'll be working with

Harri Williams

Legal Secretary

Sophie Cotterill

Paralegal

John Graham

Director

…

Lauren Darbyshire-Robert

Practice Manager

If you’re not sure who to speak to, speak to me first.

Not sure which of these fits?

Tell us what’s happened in your own words and we’ll point you to the right person.