Dispute Resolution

Disputes are inevitable; the stress associated with them is not. We do our utmost to minimise the pressure by taking a commercial and practical view and, whenever possible, by using alternative routes to resolution such as mediation.

When litigation is unavoidable, you’ll find us tenacious, determined and effective. We can handle your dispute whatever its scale and complexity, whether it’s a multi-jurisdictional action in the High Court or debt recovery, fraud, financial services or a contractual dispute in the County Courts.

We’ll also aim to reduce the distraction of an ongoing dispute, being accessible and responsive, keeping you up to date with progress and being open and realistic about risk. You can depend on us to achieve the best possible results at the most effective cost; we are widely recognised for it.

Speak to the department head, Paul Marmor by following this link.

Alternative Dispute Resolution

Alternative dispute resolution (ADR) using methods such as arbitration, conciliation, and mediation, is the first resort for settling disputes and is frequently successful. It also has the advantage of involving less risk and cost than litigation.

We partner with many of the country’s leading mediators in both facilitative and determinative mediations. Arbitration is also an important part of dispute resolution and litigation management, and we work with the leading bodies such as the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), the London Court of International Arbitration (LCIA) and some of the most experienced ADR barristers. We’re also active members in the International Bar Association’s Arbitration Committee.

Business Protection & Injunctive Relief

Your employees and consultants will naturally form working relationships with your clients and customers. They are crucial to developing your business, but when those employees/consultants move on, you need to ensure your business is effectively protected. Restrictive covenants in their employment contracts can achieve this, and our employment team can draft them for you.

If you’re not protected by restrictive covenants, we can move quickly to seek injunctive relief, with the aim of preventing any further loss and putting right any loss already incurred by seeking damages and costs. Our dispute resolution team will guide you through the process.

Director, Shareholder & Boardroom Disputes

We’ll work with our corporate commercial team to ensure that your boardroom dispute is handled effectively. We have particular experience in resolving minority shareholder and unfair prejudice disputes.

Partnership disputes

We can advise on the full spectrum of disputes that can arise in traditional partnership or LLP models, including downsizing, restructuring, compulsory retirement and competitive issues.

Franchise Disputes

We have been involved in many high-profile franchising cases and our franchising lawyers are experienced in advising a diverse range of businesses from the retail, fashion, food and drink as well as hotels and leisure sectors. We’ll use our practical, up-to-date knowledge to advise on your dispute, whether you are a UK or international franchisor or master franchisee.

Intellectual property disputes

Our intellectual property disputes team helps our clients protect their brands, new ideas and inventions. We understand your intellectual property rights may be fundamental to the success of your business, and could span several jurisdictions. Through our international alliance, we can support you with a full national and international service.

We’ll guide you through the process of protecting your IP, including protecting your trademarks, patents and copyright. If you suffer a breach to your IP, we can quickly respond with injunctive relief to end the breach and protect your valuable assets.

Resolving your specialist dispute

We join forces with the other teams in our firm to provide a seamless, highly knowledgeable service to resolve a whole range of disputes, including:

• Intellectual property
• Franchises
• Employment
• Corporate and commercial
• Business debt recovery (including our fixed-cost debt recovery service)
• Property