Commercial disputes lawyers
Commercial disputes in business are common. Building a relationship with a skilled commercial dispute lawyer can give you a clear advantage.
Our team of commercial disputes resolution experts know the techniques and legal principles to resolve issues promptly and conclusively. Even if you are not currently involved in a dispute, we can advise if you could be at risk in the future.
All commercial disputes differ. We will take the time to understand your specific circumstances so you have a lawyer who appreciates your situation and has the knowledge to pursue the outcome you require.
We will handpick a commercial dispute resolution team for your situation. Drafting in specialists from elsewhere across the firm to maximise the likelihood of a successful outcome.
Working together
The advice our commercial disputes lawyers provide is unambiguous and based on extensive knowledge and expertise. You will be kept in the loop throughout the process, and any measures we take will be considered shrewdly and executed promptly.
We will work with you to agree the best possible approach to funding the cost of any commercial dispute. With access to third party litigation funding, we can offer a mix of fixed fees, deferred payments, ‘no win, no fee’ or ‘no win, low fee’ terms to make funding claims or defences affordable.
How our commercial disputes team can help
- Litigation, mediation and arbitration, including international arbitration
- Commercial and contractual disputes
- Boardroom and shareholder disputes
- Partnership disputes
- Director disqualification
- Insolvency, restructuring and winding up
- Claims against company directors
- Professional negligence
- Technology and IT disputes
- Warranties on the sale of businesses or goods
- Healthcare disputes
- Alternative dispute resolution
- Family businesses
- Merger and acquisition disputes
Talk to us about
Related services
Meet the team
Our commercial disputes experience
Advised two major landlords in connection with the impact of their tenant’s ongoing Chapter 11 insolvency proceedings in the Unites States, on their leasehold obligations in respect of two substantial cinema leases.
Defended a winding up petition presented by HMRC for unpaid tax. Secured a 13-week adjournment to allow VAT Returns to be filed and the level of tax payable re-assessed. The parties reached an agreement resulting in the withdrawal of the winding up petition.
Crowe UK LLP / Betteshanger Sustainable Park Limited
Representing joint liquidators in an appeal against the rejection of a creditor claim of over £1 million relating to a construction project.
Green Box Recycling Kent Limited / Richard Monks
Acting for joint Defendants in a claim for breach of director’s duties and knowing receipt relating to the wrongful diversion of business and assets to another company.
Noksel çelik Boru Sanayi A.Ş.
Securing judgment for over $7 million on behalf of an international manufacturing client in a complex Commercial Court claim.
Acting for a BVI company in debt recovery proceedings against a Ukrainian national, subsequent enforcement proceedings against their property in Germany and associated freezing injunction.
Advising on various post-transaction claims arising from the sale of an interest in the UK’s largest solar park.
Achieving a successful outcome in a just and equitable winding up petition for respondent shareholders with the petitioning shareholder capitulating on first day of trial.
Achieving successful outcome via mediation for minority shareholder of a company placed into voluntary liquidation by the majority shareholder a petition under s.994 of the Companies Act.
Pursuing petition under s.994 of the Companies Act 2006 on behalf of minority shareholders in the holding company of a property development group.
Our client successes
Competing arbitration clauses
We acted for ship owners in a charter-party (c/p) dispute concerning the jurisdiction of an arbitral Tribunal under two co-existing and competing arbitration clauses.
Victory at the High Court
2 min
We secured a victory for a Turkish manufacturing client in a complex contractual case, culminating in a hard-fought battle in the English High Court.
Exiting a problem minority shareholder
2 min
We provided majority shareholders of a building services company with the ability to remove a problem shareholder from their company.
Obtaining justice for a minority shareholder
2 min
We supported the minority shareholder of a technology company when they were ejected from the company and left without funds to pursue a claim.
Shareholder dispute settled at mediation
3 min
Acted for a 25% shareholder in an IT company who was wrongfully removed from the company and unable to realise their investment.
How we made a difference
Related thinking
Risks of advising companies in shareholder disputes
Notice of breach of warranty on company purchase – Drax lucky
Understanding the risks of disability claims under the Equality Act 2010 and protecting your business
Navigating ESG risks: how to protect your business in a changing world
Thumbs up or thumbs down for the use of emojis in contract formation
From Hollywood to the High Court – can a prior agreement exclude a creditor from a restructuring plan?
What price for your silence? The decision in Northamber Plc v Genee World Ltd [2024]
Arbitration reform back on the agenda
Held on trust or not held on trust – that is the question
Insolvency or arbitration – which route prevails?
Types of commercial disputes
We litigate disputes in all the major courts and tribunals. We also have extensive arbitration experience. Most disputes are resolved by the parties reaching a settlement and we are skilled in the full range of ADR techniques including traditional negotiation, mediation and expert determination. We never lose sight of our clients’ objectives and work with you to find the best solution for any problem.
Commercial disputes are at the heart of what we do. This is our focus and skillset. We act for clients large and small, companies and individuals. We understand the commercial context to any contract and tailor our advice and strategy accordingly.
We have experience across multiple sectors and business types, with particular expertise acting for:
- Property owning companies
- IT and technology companies
- High Net Worth (HNW) investors and shareholders
- Family businesses
- Overseas investors and clients
When directors are faced with the threat of disqualification they need to obtain objective expert legal advice from lawyers with experience in dealing with the Insolvency Service. Our team, led by Tania Clench, can help directors avoid disqualification or mitigate the impact.
Learn more about our director disqualification experience and how we can help you.
Disputes arising within the context of insolvency often have unusual elements to them and involve multiple stakeholders. This requires in depth knowledge of insolvency law and insolvency rules in order to successfully navigate through the many pitfalls and complexities.
Our team, led by Jo Ford, has successfully acted for numerous businesses and individuals and navigated them through the insolvency minefield.
Find out more about our insolvency disputes experience and how we can help you.
Often it is only after the sale of a business that problems with a target company are identified. The nature of many sale and purchase agreements means that disputes in relation to warranties and indemnities and can be of high value and high complexity.
Our team, led by Tom Bourne, has extensive experience handling such disputes and finding the way to the best commercial outcome.
Find out more about mergers and acquisition disputes and how we can help you.
Awards and accreditations
Contact us
If you have a question or need advice, please let us know how we can help.
