Business disputes

Disputes can be an unwelcome distraction to running a business but they are - unfortunately – an inevitable part of commercial life. Wards has an experienced disputes team, used to acting for businesses both large and small, across a range of sectors.

Our lawyers are experienced commercial negotiators and avoid taking an overly legalistic approach. We focus on resolving disputes quickly and without fuss; acting as cost-effectively as possible, whilst gaining the maximum advantage for our clients.

We achieve commercial solutions, whether through formal Court and arbitration proceedings, mediation or other forms of alternative dispute resolution.

Who should I contact?
Our specialists are happy to meet you at an office local to you.

Elizabeth Fry on 0117 929 2811or email her
Martin Keegan on 0117 929 2811or email him
Ian Williamson on 0117 929 2811or email him
James Taylor on 01454 204880 or email him
Emma Kerry on 01275 850470 or email her

Types of dispute
We deal with a broad range of commercial disputes for businesses, including those relating to:

If your particular problem is not listed above, we may still be able to help, so please contact us.

Will we have to go to Court?
Litigation should never be entered into lightly and we will advise you if it is the best option. If not, we will offer an alternative solution.

Negotiating a successful solution
In the vast majority of cases, going to Court will not be necessary. Wherever possible, we seek to resolve disputes without going to Court.

Mediation can be used effectively where both sides wish to avoid Court proceedings and, for example, to preserve a relationship following the break-up of a partnership. 

If you are making a claim, we will push the other side hard to get you the best possible offer. If you are defending a claim, we will assess the chances of success and negotiate the best settlement possible.

Taking Court action
Going to Court raises the stakes, since losing at trial can mean you pay the other side's legal costs. However, once Court action starts, the other side will be under much more pressure to negotiate a solution.

If Court action is necessary, we have the skills and experience to manage your case efficiently, with access to a wide variety of specialist experts in various fields, as well as to barristers to provide more specialised advice.

As holders of the Law Society’s Lexcel quality mark, you can rest assured that we will prepare your case thoroughly and professionally to maximise your chances of success.

Enforcing the Court's decision
If you are successful, the other side usually has to pay any compensation owed within 14 days. If they do not, there are still many ways to get your money - such as sending in bailiffs or forcing their company into liquidation.

Our team is focussed on promoting and protecting your rights, whether through litigation, arbitration, mediation or negotiation.

What will it cost?
Litigation can be an expensive business - especially for more complex cases such as building disputes, where expert evidence is often required. However, there are various ways in which your claim can be funded and we will advise on all the options at our first meeting.

Legal expenses insurance - you may have such a policy, which could cover the cost of litigation or you can take out insurance just to cover the risk of losing your claim. A word of warning however. You should check the small print very carefully, as most policies limit the type of claim covered and often have a limit on claim value. Such policies also usually require that you use one of its panel solicitors, who could be located anywhere in the UK. You are still free to instruct a local solicitor of your choice, but you must generally write to the insurance company giving reasons for your choice.

Paying privately - we can provide a realistic estimate at the outset and can agree set staged payments for each part of the litigation process, so that you know what you will have to pay when and can budget accordingly.

However you fund the claim, you can be sure that we will pay close attention to costs, to ensure that these do not outweigh the benefits achievable. Wards’ sound commercial advice can help you to achieve your objectives in a cost-effective manner.

Your questions answered

How long will it take? The typical time to reach a negotiated settlement is 2-3 months for small claims below £5,000 and around 30 weeks for a trial in a fast track case between £5,000-£15,000. If you proceed with Court action, then a Court date will be set within 30 weeks of the issue of proceedings.

Contact us
Our specialists are based in central Bristol but they are happy to meet you at an office local to you.

Elizabeth Fry on 0117 929 2811or email her
Martin Keegan on 0117 929 2811or email him
Ian Williamson 0117 929 2811or email him
James Taylor on 01454 204880 or email him
Emma Kerry on 01275 850470 or email her