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Dispute Resolution

Disputes can arise in both business and personal life, often causing stress and disruption. When they do, it is vital to seek expert legal advice to resolve the matter efficiently and prevent it from escalating further.

Our dispute resolution team comprises experienced professionals who can advise you on the most cost-effective and timely way to resolve your dispute.

We utilise a variety of methods, including mediation, arbitration, and negotiation, to achieve the best possible outcome for you. However, if litigation becomes necessary, we will work tirelessly to protect your interests and ensure your rights are upheld.

We can advise you on:

  • Debt recovery
  • Breach of contract disputes
  • Boundary or neighbour disputes
  • Recovering possession from tenants
  • Consumer disputes
  • Residential Landlord & Tenant Disputes
  • Inheritance act claims

If you are a business with unpaid invoices and need assistance recovering the sums due to you, we offer a fixed fee debt recovery services for commercial undisputed debts, details of which can be found here.

We can also offer assistance to individuals who are owed money, such as a private loan that has not been repaid.  Where appropriate such assistance may be offered under our fixed fee debt recovery service, details can be found here.  However, this is not possible in every instance and if not we can provide a no-obligation tailored quote on request. Private debt recovery work is conducted by Claire Hardy, a solicitor with over four years’ experience, supported by experienced secretaries.

See Our People for individual biographies.

We specialise in resolving contract disputes, protecting your rights and interests with expert legal advice. Whether you need to enforce the terms of an agreement or defend yourself against an allegation of breach of contract made by someone else, our experienced professional team provide strategic guidance and robust representation.

We can advise on contract formation (whether the “contract” is formal or informal, written or verbal), incorporation of terms and conditions, misrepresentation and breaches of express and/or implied terms in a contract.

We routinely handle contract disputes across a wide variety of subject matters and circumstances, striving for efficient resolutions through negotiation or litigation, as appropriate.

Disputes between neighbours about legal boundary lines, or anything else, are fraught with stress and tension because they affect your home and seem impossible to escape in day-to-day life. We understand how difficult it can be living with a dispute of this nature, when relationships between you and your neighbours have soured. In those difficult times, getting the right technical advice is essential so that you know your rights and the remedies available to you. We can help you to navigate these very difficult situations with clarity, understanding and robust representation.

Boundary disputes are highly technical and can be very complicated; you need the benefit of advice from a solicitor who specialises in and has experience of these types of issues. Kate Williams has dealt with a number of boundary disputes and can advise you as to the options available to you to enforce your rights.

We can also advise on matters such as adverse possession, acquisition of rights expressly or by prescription, interference with rights of way and how to enforce your rights. Our team has experience of dealing with property-related litigation in both the County Courts and the First Tier Property Tribunal.

There is always a risk that the costs of dealing with a boundary dispute or some other dispute with your neighbour will become disproportionate. We will give you highly technical advice on your position and rights, coupled with strategic and commercially-sensitive guidance. We will usually recommend negotiation to avoid incurring the costs of litigation but where there is a point of principle to be tackled you will have the benefit of having experts on your side throughout the litigation process.

If you own residential property that is let to tenants, you will probably be well aware of all the ways in which the relationship between landlord and tenant can become strained. You may be unfortunate enough to have experience of dealing with “rogue tenants” who have failed to pay rent or breached other terms of the tenancy agreement. Equally, you may be looking to get vacant possession of your property to sell it. Whatever your motivation for seeking possession of your rental property, our experienced team can help.

We can issue possession proceedings and manage the whole court process, including arranging eviction by bailiffs, if required, on your behalf. We can also assist with the recovery of rent arrears and advise on how to enforce tenant covenants in tenancy agreements.

The grounds for seeking possession are going to be the subject of statutory update with the introduction of the Renter’s Rights Bill which is expected to gain royal assent and come into force before the end of this year. We are not sure yet exactly what the reforms will look like but if you would like to get advice on the type of notice seeking possession to serve on your tenants under the current regime, get in touch with us for a no obligation initial chat without delay.

Consumer disputes can be frustrating, and we understand that not every issue warrants formal legal action. Our team is here to support you when the stakes are higher, and your rights need protecting or enforcing. Here’s how we can help:

Understanding When Legal Assistance is Appropriate:

  • We appreciate that not all consumer disputes justify incurring legal costs, particularly for low-value items or minor repair issues.
  • We are unable to offer free advice on small claims, but we focus on cases where legal input can make a real difference.

Expert Guidance on Larger Purchases and Substantial Losses:

  • If you’ve made a significant purchase that is faulty or received poor workmanship resulting in substantial financial loss, we can advise you on your rights under the Consumer Rights Act 2015.
  • Our experienced team can explain your legal options and work to seek a satisfactory resolution on your behalf.

Cost Transparency and Focus on Resolution:

  • We understand that the cost of legal action can be a concern. We will discuss the likely costs with you at the outset.
  • Our goal is to achieve a negotiated resolution whenever possible, avoiding lengthy, expensive and stressful litigation.

Tailored Solutions for Your Needs:

  • We assess each case individually and provide clear, practical advice tailored to your circumstances
  • If negotiation is not possible, we can represent you in court proceedings where necessary to protect your interests.

If you need help resolving a consumer dispute involving a large purchase or poor workmanship, contact our team today to discuss how we can assist you.

Our specialist litigation solicitors can provide guidance and assistance on the correct notice to serve when seeking to end a tenancy arrangement, as well as instigating any court proceedings required should the tenant refuse to leave.

We can also assist with the recovery of rental arrears by other means and other tenancy related disputes. Please contact us for a no obligation chat today.

Disputes can arise after the death of a loved one, especially if their Will or the statutory intestacy rules fail to provide for you financially. This can cause financial uncertainty at an already difficult time.

Certain classes of people, such as spouses, civil partners, children, former partners (provided they have not re-married), some cohabitees, and those financially supported by the deceased before his or her death, may be able to make a claim under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975.

Strict time limits apply, so seeking early legal advice is essential. Our experienced team can guide you through the process and support you through financial difficulties following bereavement or separation.

 Call today for a no obligation initial chat with one of our friendly and helpful team who are experts in this specialist field of litigation. We will guide you through the procedure and applicable law to assess whether you might have a claim and the merits of such a claim with clarity and sensitivity.

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Kate Williams

Solicitor I Dispute Resolution and Commercial Property

Phone01628 369176

kwilliams@lightfoots.co.uk

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