Business Dispute Resolution Solicitors Kent | Commercial Dispute Resolution & Injunctions Sussex

Overview

We understand that our clients wish to minimise the risk and the time that they have to devote to disputes. Our objective is to achieve swift, commercially realistic results in the most cost efficient and risk free manner possible, using the most appropriate forum.

We make it a point to get to know our clients, to understand their objectives thoroughly, to provide clear advice and astute recommendations in plain English, and to make ourselves available whenever and wherever our clients need us.

We appreciate our clients' desire to minimise risk and we actively look for opportunities to offer conditional fee agreements in appropriate cases, as well as a range of other funding and insurance options.

Our team of experienced and highly specialist lawyers includes experts in contractual, commercial and international disputes, arbitration, insolvency, shareholders’, directors and partnership disputes, in disputes arising from construction/engineering projects and we also act for clients seeking to protect or defend intellectual property/IT rights as well as their brand and reputation in defamation and harassment disputes.

In addition we represent clients in all types of property dispute, including commercial landlord & tenant matters and cases involving dilapidations, trespass, adverse possession, boundaries, covenants and easements. We also have expertise in planning and compulsory purchase and in environmental and competition law cases, in gaming, licensing and health & safety matters and in professional negligence claims involving solicitors, surveyors, architects, accountants, IFAs and barristers. We also represent clients involved in disputes relating to financial services and products.

We are recognised in the latest editions of The Legal 500 and Chambers UK.

For further information please see our full list of services for businesses or contact our dispute lawyers.

Alternatively, you can read our frequently asked questions on dispute resolution related legal matters here; FAQ - Dispute Resolution

Latest Updates

COVID-19: understanding how Coronavirus can impact commercial contracts

Leasehold Reform: Premiums for Lease Extension and Enfranchisement

On 9 January 2020, the Law Commission published its report on the options for reducing the costs payable by leaseholders extending their leases or purchasing the freeholds of their properties.

Queen’s Speech – Housing & Private Rented

The Christmas Queen’s Speech included proposals for significant changes for residential property, particularly in the private rented sector and for leaseholders.

The Battle of the Plans, Parts 1 & 2

The big news for the beginning of this year in regional planning is that, on 6 January, Wealden District Council in East Sussex withdrew its submitted plan from examination on the recommendation of the Inspector, following a rather regrettable report being published accusing Wealden of failing to comply with the duty to cooperate and identifying some “significant failings in respect of the soundness of the submitted Plan”.

Sign of the times – automatic email sign-off a binding signature

In our increasingly digital age, the case of Neocleous & Anor v Rees is a keen reminder of the care needed in email correspondence. An automatic email sign-off could unwittingly bind you to a contract.

The Supreme Court has overturned the Court of Appeal's decision on Sequent Nominees Limited v Hautford Limited.

The Debenhams CVA

Among pages of stories about the death of the high street, it’s the company voluntary arrangements (CVAs) entered into by the big retailers that have drawn the most attention. One of the biggest of these, the Debenhams CVA, has just come before the High Court, with landlords challenging the CVA on five grounds:

Can I stop my neighbour’s nuisance barbecues?

How to turn down the volume next door, and ways to guard against gazumping

A New Deal for Renting – The End of Section 21?

In April this year, the Government announced its intention to end no fault evictions. With the consultation now published, the details of those proposals are now beginning to take shape.

Ban on letting agents’ fees now in force

From 1 June 2019, the new Tenant Fees Act 2019 came into force

Terminating business leases: landlord’s intention to redevelop

Where premises are let under a lease within the protection of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1954, at the end of the lease the tenant has a statutory right to either claim a new lease or remain in occupation.

Avoiding disputes in Family businesses

For any business litigation is an expensive and time consuming process. For small to medium sized businesses (SMEs), where time, money and staff are at a premium, the resolution of disputes in an efficient and cost effective way is essential.

The case of the vanishing urn

A pair of listed urns went missing, getting the owner in a spot of bother. The case became the centre of a breach of planning law ending up in the Court of Appeal.

How to sell a business, part 7 of 10: What happens if it goes wrong?

This week, we look at the problems that can arise after completion of a sale.

How to safely get off the escalator

The issue of ground rents payable for leasehold properties has attracted negative publicity recently; particularly so called ‘escalator’ ground rents. These are rents that escalate over time, for example doubling every ten years.

Staying one step ahead

The High Court has recently handed down a decision, which will be welcome news to land owners and developers alike who own sites that are at risk of trespassers from entering them.

Injunctions issued by Local Authorities – how to respond

One of the most common reasons that a local authority serves an injunction on what appears to be vacant land, is in order to prevent the unauthorised development of the land that it believes may occur, particularly on land in a sensitive location or which has a special designation

For your business - October 2018

As a firm, we take pride in being a constant in a changing world. We hope this collection of articles will be helpful and provide food for thought on a number of topics.

The Court of Appeal has ruled that the supply of software electronically does not constitute “goods” under the Commercial Agents Regulations.

A recent case has highlighted an issue which is becoming of increasing importance, concerning when electronically supplied software should be treated as “goods” and when it should not be.

Reducing the upfront cost and risk of litigation

Funding disputes can be a challenge. We recognise that whether bringing or defending a claim, businesses and individuals alike want to achieve positive outcomes, as cost effectively as possible.

Fire safety works – who pays?

The relationship between Landlord and Tenant can be strained, particularly where building maintenance and large scale repair works are concerned and the question arises as to who is to pay for the works.

Top tips for guarantors of leases

By Laura Keatley, Solicitor in Commercial Property & Development.

Expert Evidence: A Reminder of the Duties of an Expert

In the case of The Governor and Company of the Bank of Ireland and anor v Watts Group plc [2017] EWHC 1667 (TCC) ("the Case"), the Court questioned the independence and reliability of an expert witness. As a consequence, it has become even more important for those instructed as an expert witness, to be aware of their duties.

FAQ: Frequently asked questions from across the practice

Every month we answer frequently asked questions from across the practice and bring them together to help bring clarity to your legal needs. Each of the sections below lead off to a more comprehensive bank of information.

Unjustified Threats: New rules relating to groundless / unjust threats in IP cases

New legislation came into force on 1 October 2017, to codify the law on unjustified threats made by the owners of intellectual property (IP), to sue a third party for infringement. The Intellectual Property (Unjustified Threats) Act 2017 (the Act) brings long-overdue consistency to the rules applicable to registered intellectual property rights, but there remain some areas of ambiguity.

Huge hike in compensation payments for hurt and upset employees

With effect from the 11 September 2017 there will be a very significant rise in compensation awards for injury to feelings or psychiatric injury in discrimination cases.

The litigation “black hole”

People often tell me that litigation is a “black hole” and that no-one emerges from it as a winner – except the lawyers.

Breach of confidence - but what’s it worth?

A recent case in the High Court has resulted in a business being awarded just £2 in nominal damages, to compensate for two of its employees retaining the business’s confidential information in breach of their duties.

Private Landlords and the Right to Rent

The “Right to Rent” scheme was introduced by the Immigration Act 2014 as a means to prevent people with no legal right to remain in the UK from renting or remaining in private domestic rented accommodation. It seeks to achieve this by imposing obligations on landlords (or their agents if they have agreed in writing to undertake the necessary due diligence) to check the status of existing and potential tenants. Landlords should not ignore their obligations, since in addition to the original civil penalty of up to £3,000 for failure to conduct the necessary checks, criminal sanctions were introduced from 1 December 2016.

Implications of the business rates revaluation

A landlord of premises let under a tenancy protected by the Landlord & Tenant Act 1954 (“the Act”) and who is intending to oppose the grant of a new tenancy should consider the implications of the business rates revaluation and the possibility of serving notice under section 25 of the Act before 1 April 2017.

The Construction Pre-Action Protocol – saving parties time and money in construction disputes since 2000…

Disputes are often an inevitable consequence of being in business. This is certainly true of the construction industry which has a reputation for being particularly litigious, primarily because of the high level of risk involved in many construction projects and constant requirement for cash flow, given prevalent low margins.

Payment by commission - when is it due?

It has always been common for some businesses, such as estate agents or commercial sales agents, to make their earnings from commission. With the rise of the service economy and internet based businesses like Deliveroo, payment through commission is becoming increasingly popular.

Dispute Resolution: Brexit

The implications of Brexit for the disputes sector will be determined by whatever new arrangement the Government negotiates with the EU. Existing EU legislation will – in all probability – continue to form part of English law post Brexit and will remain in force until such point as they are replaced.

The Online Court

A review of the structure of current civil court system by Lord Justice Briggs, the Deputy Head of Civil Justice in England & Wales, was published in July 2016 and highlighted the lack of a suitable dispute resolution forum for disputes where the amounts involved do not usually justify involving solicitors.

Arbitration – Worldwide Freezing Orders

James Cradick, Senior Associate in our Dispute Resolution team discusses how a number of recent decisions of the English High Court serve as a stark warning to defaulters that a refusal to comply with Arbitration Awards and Court Orders will not be tolerated and that the Court will seek to facilitate the enforcement process wherever possible.

Insurance Law Reform

James Cradick, Senior Associate in our Dispute Resoluton team, comments on the significant changes that have been made to insurance law in England and Wales.

Contract - Repudiatory Breach

James Cradick, Senior Associate discusses a recent case, where a repudiatory breach of contract (or termination of contract) does not automatically discharge the parties from performance of their remaining primary obligations.

FOSFA Arbitration – Anti-Suit Injunctions

A number of recent decisions have emphasised the importance of acting promptly when seeking an anti-suit injunction or anti-enforcement injunction. James Cradick, Senior Associate in our Dispute Resolution team discusses a case where a delay was still held to be a sufficient reason for refusing the anti-suit injunction.

Insurance - Fraudulent Claims

James Cradick, Senier Associate in our Dispute Resoluton team, discusses why fraudulent insurance claims are a serious and expensive problem.

Logistics

James Cradick, Senier Associate in our Dispute Resoluton team, comments on how traders, exporters and forwarders will be aware of the important amendments to the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) Convention which are, as of 1 July 2016, now in force.

Arbitration

Arbitration awards under English law are final and binding subject to the limited grounds of challenge permitted under the Arbitration Act 1996. James Cradick, Senior Associate in our Dispute Resolution team, comments on the extent to which the English Court proactively supports and promotes arbitration clauses between commercial parties.

Brexit: what are the implications?

When the news broke about Brexit on 24th June 2016, our expert lawyers each wrote a round up of the implications that could potentially you and your business.

Brexit - there is a great deal to think about

Senior Partner, James Partridge speaks to the Times of Tunbridge Wells and describes the impact that the Leave vote will have on businesses and looks at five key areas including commercial contracts, dispute resolution, employment, commercial property and data protection.

Brexit - what are the implications?

Following the much awaited UK referendum outcome, we have been thinking about what a Leave vote could mean and, set out below, are articles with our first thoughts.

Brexit, a perspective on Dispute Resolution

The decision to exit the European Union will undoubtedly give rise to a period of uncertainty for us all. A great deal has been written already about possible impacts and, in writing this short article, I have sought to highlight a few key areas that may warrant some immediate thought and possible action depending on your business sector, geography and markets.

Insurance Law Reform

Significant changes will shortly be made to insurance law in England and Wales. The cumulative effect of the reforms will be to significantly rebalance insurance law in favour of commercial policyholders ultimately leading to more claims being met. The main changes are summarised below.

Contractual Variation

Globe Motors, Inc and others - v - TRW Lucas Varity Electric Steering Limited and another [2016] EWCA Civ 396

How to fund litigation

Do you or your business have a claim which you wish to bring but you are wary about doing so because of the costs and risks? Are you tempted just to ‘put it down to experience’ despite the fact that you would really rather not?

Lease occupations and third party obligations

The decision in Nemcova v Fairfield Rents Limited serves as a timely reminder to owners of leasehold property to consider carefully all obligations in their lease and the intention of those obligations before allowing a third party into occupation.

Global commodity price falls and challenges to sale contracts

The dramatic fall in global commodity prices has resulted in historically low prices in the first months of 2015. Price fluctuations and market volatility present various opportunities and significant challenges to those engaged in global trade, but particularly to those in price sensitive commodities markets where even relatively small shirts in the market can result in considerable loss or profit for traders. Traders seek to manage, exploit and mitigate the volatility of the markets through the contracts they enter into.

FAQ: Dispute Resolution

Q. My business received some professional advice that turned out to be wrong. It has cost us a significant amount of money to sort the situation out. We would like to bring a claim through the courts to recover our losses, but I am concerned about the cost and risk of taking legal action. Is there a funding solution that could help?