Disputes

Commercial disputes are an unfortunate but inevitable part of business life. Whether you are facing a problem with a supplier, client, competitor or business partner; a disagreement over property or concerns over professional advice and services provided, early and effective resolution is crucial.

We take a proactive approach to your commercial dispute using mediation, arbitration and litigation techniques to resolve disagreements cost-effectively and with the minimum disruption to your business. If court proceedings are required, our specialist team has extensive experience of high court, county court and specialist tribunals.

Prevention is always better than cure, so we also work with you to help ensure the necessary agreements and structures are in place to prevent disputes occurring in the first place.

With an eye on your bottom line, we offer flexible fee arrangements, including fixed fee and conditional fee arrangements.

Gareth Wilkinson
Disputes Partner

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To find out more about how we can help you, or for an honest assessment of your case, contact us today for advice tailored to your needs and situation.

Contract disputes

Disputes over contracts place an unwelcome and unnecessary burden on your business. At Beswicks Legal, we defend and protect you from such distractions; freeing you up to get on with the important task of running your business.

With your commercial objectives in mind, we help with a broad range of contractual disputes, from terms and conditions of supply to complex commercial and cross-border agreements.

Wherever possible, we look to use negotiation and mediation rather than litigation to help you reach an amicable agreement. Where settlement cannot be reached, we have the litigation skills and experience necessary to take you through the court process.

Where appropriate, once a dispute has been resolved, we will use this opportunity to protect the long-term interests of your business by reviewing your commercial agreements and minimising the likelihood of such conflict recurring in the future.

Property disputes

Our property litigation solicitors in Stoke-on-Trent advise business clients on a broad range of property disputes, helping landlords, commercial tenants, developers, housing associations and property managers to find a successful resolution.

Committed to protecting your business, commercial objectives and professional reputation, we use negotiation and mediation to help you reach an amicable agreement and secure the best result as quickly and cost-effectively as possible.

Debt recovery disputes

Credit control is a crucial area of business management. Our services meet the debt collection needs of businesses when payment problems arise.

Our strategy depends on the type of debtor you are pursuing, how strongly you wish to pursue them and your relationship with them. We take pride in operating as a seamless extension of your team, understanding the need to maintain business relations.

Fixed fee arrangements feature prominently in our fee structure ensuring transparency and proportionality in the debt recovery process.

Professional services disputes

All businesses encounter a range of professional advisors such as solicitors, accountants, surveyors and financial advisors to name but a few. There are times when the advice given or the service provided falls short of the professions’ own standards both contractually and in common law.

We can help you navigate the law and procedures on identifying professional negligence and advise strategically on how to progress your claim through the various stages of dispute resolution.

Reputational damage

In today’s online age, your reputation can be damaged at the click of a button. If your business has been the victim of untrue or distorted criticism, you must take swift legal action to minimise the damage to your brand. Where defamation is proven, as well as ensuring the removal of the offending comments, you may also be able to make a compensation claim in respect to the distress caused and any financial losses.

Injunctions

Injunctions are court orders which compel something to be done or not done. They may be standalone or used as part of a wider court process. The circumstances in which injunctions can be sought are wide. Common examples include:

• Preventing a former employee or a competitor from doing something or from using your sensitive confidential information.
• Freezing assets to prevent them being removed.
• Obtaining documents often by way of a search and seizure process.

Injunctions are extremely time-sensitive and irrespective of what side you’re on, you need an experienced team with strength in depth to deal with them in the very limited time that will be available to you. Our dedicated team of dispute solicitors have dealt with numerous injunctions in all kinds of circumstances and will be able to assist you to best manage the process and help you achieve a favourable outcome.