Civil Litigation and Dispute Resolution
When a disagreement is affecting your home, finances or business, you need to know where you stand. We review the facts, explain the legal issues and help you consider what to do next. Contact us with a brief outline, including any letter or court deadline you have received.
- Your position explained
- Options considered early
- Costs kept in view
- Advice on the next step
Understanding the dispute
Civil disputes concern legal disagreements between people, businesses or organisations. They can arise from a contract, a property arrangement, money owed or an obligation that one party says has not been met. The first task is to establish what happened and what the relevant documents actually say.
We ask what outcome you want as well as what has gone wrong. You may need payment, an agreement about future conduct or a response to a claim made against you. Knowing that helps us assess whether the proposed steps are likely to address the real problem.
Building a clear picture
- The agreement or documents at the centre of the dispute
- Letters, emails and messages exchanged with the other side
- A summary of relevant dates and events
- Evidence of payments, loss or the work carried out
- Any formal notice, letter of claim or court papers
A short chronology can be more useful than a long account written from memory. Note the important dates and keep the original documents, emails and messages. Include material that does not support your position as well as material that does. Advice is more useful when it is based on the full picture.
Considering a resolution
Court proceedings are one possible route. Depending on the case, a direct response, a negotiated agreement or mediation may offer a way to resolve the disagreement. We discuss those options and their practical limits rather than assuming every dispute should follow the same course.
There are often steps to take before starting a claim, including explaining the position and exchanging relevant information. The procedure depends on the type of case. We can advise on an appropriate response and consider the risks of acting too quickly or leaving a matter unanswered.
If proceedings become necessary
If court action is appropriate, we explain the proposed claim or defence, the evidence required and the likely stages. We also discuss the cost of the work, court fees and the risk of having to pay some of the other party's costs.
A case can change as documents are exchanged or further evidence emerges. We will explain how new information affects the advice and the options available. A decision to start or defend proceedings should be informed by both the legal position and the practical consequences.
Speak to us before a deadline passes
If you receive a formal demand or court document, contact us promptly. Tell us the date it arrived and any response date stated in it. Do not assume that discussions with the other side automatically stop a deadline.
You can use our enquiry form to describe the issue without sending a full file. We will confirm whether we can consider the matter, explain what we need to review and discuss the cost of the initial work.
Your questions answered
Do I need to know which legal claim applies?
No. Start by telling us what happened, who is involved and what you want to achieve. The documents and circumstances help us identify the legal issues. You do not need to put a legal label on the problem before asking whether we can assist.
Will my dispute have to go to court?
Not necessarily. Some matters resolve through correspondence, negotiation or mediation. Others require a court decision. The right route depends on the evidence, the parties' positions and the result sought. We can explain the available options and review them as the matter develops.
Can you help if someone is claiming against me?
We can consider enquiries from people or businesses facing a claim, subject to our checks and capacity to act. Send the key details promptly and mention every deadline. We must confirm that we have accepted instructions before you rely on us to take a procedural step.
How much will dealing with the dispute cost?
The cost depends on the issues, documents and work required. An initial review may help define the next stage, but a contested case can develop in ways that affect the estimate. We explain the proposed scope and discuss costs before the work is agreed.
What if I have legal expenses insurance?
Tell us if you have a policy that may cover the dispute. Cover can sometimes sit within a home, business or other insurance policy. The insurer's terms and approval requirements need checking before costs are incurred. We can discuss how that may affect the proposed instruction.
Client feedback
What our clients say
Read about the experiences of people who have worked with our team.
Debra
Blackburn
Michael
Preston
Blackburn & Blackpool
Need legal advice?
Let's talk.
Tell us what you need help with.