Windsor, London & across England & Wales
Practical help resolving civil disputes, in and out of court. Clear advice on whether you have a claim, the options for settling it, and what going to court involves, from a solicitor who takes the time to understand your situation.
✓ Authorised & regulated by the SRA ✓ Free initial call ✓ Fixed-fee & hourly options ✓ Court & out-of-court
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When a disagreement cannot be settled between the people involved, civil litigation is the legal process for putting it right, whether that means recovering money you are owed, enforcing an agreement, or defending a claim made against you. Our civil litigation solicitors explain where you stand, what your options are, and the most sensible way forward.
We know a dispute can be stressful and costly if it is not handled well. We look to resolve matters early and out of court wherever that serves you, through negotiation and mediation, and we are ready to issue or defend court proceedings when that is the right course. You will have clear advice on the merits, the likely cost and the realistic outcomes before you commit.
Disagreements over a breach of contract, unclear or unfair terms, unpaid invoices, or goods and work that were not provided as agreed.
Boundaries and rights of way, disputes with a neighbour or a builder, and disagreements between landlords and tenants.
Claims where the advice or work of a professional, such as a solicitor, surveyor or accountant, fell below the standard you should expect and left you worse off.
Recovering money you are owed, or responding to a claim against you, from a letter before action through to court proceedings and enforcement.
Disputes between customers, suppliers and businesses over goods, services, payment, or the way an agreement has been carried out.
Disagreements between executors and beneficiaries, and questions over the validity of a will or the way an estate is being dealt with.
Resolving matters through alternative dispute resolution, including without-prejudice negotiation and mediation, to settle without going to court where that is possible.
Bringing or defending a civil claim through the courts when a dispute cannot be settled, with clear advice at each stage.
Tell us what has happened and we will explain your options and whether court is likely to be necessary. Free initial call, no obligation.
A civil dispute is a disagreement between individuals, businesses or organisations that is not a criminal matter but that the law can help to resolve. It might be about money, property, a contract, or the way someone has behaved towards you. Civil litigation is the process of resolving a dispute through the courts, and it covers a wide range of issues, from breach of contract and property disagreements to professional negligence, debt and defamation. Most disputes are about putting things right, usually by recovering money, enforcing an agreement, or asking the court to decide who is in the right.
If you believe you have been treated unfairly or have suffered a loss in a way that is not a criminal offence, you may be able to bring a civil claim. Disputes commonly arise between neighbours, customers and suppliers, business partners, landlords and tenants, buyers and sellers of property, homeowners and builders, employers and employees, and executors and beneficiaries of an estate, as well as between creditors and debtors. Before starting a claim it is important to take advice promptly, because different types of case have strict time limits, known as limitation periods, and leaving it too late can prevent a claim from being brought at all. We will look at what happened, the evidence and the strength of your position, and explain your options honestly.
Going to court is not the only way to resolve a dispute, and it is often not the quickest or least costly either. The courts expect the people involved to try to settle first, and there are several forms of alternative dispute resolution that can help, including direct negotiation, a formal letter before action, mediation with an independent mediator, and in some cases arbitration. Settling early can save a great deal of time, cost and worry, and it lets you keep more control over the outcome. We always look for a sensible resolution where one is available, and we will tell you frankly when we think settling is the right course.
If a dispute cannot be settled, the next step is to start court proceedings. This begins with following the relevant pre-action steps, then completing and issuing the correct court forms, which depend on the nature and value of the claim. The court sets a timetable, the other side files a defence, both sides exchange documents and evidence, and the matter moves towards a hearing if it is not resolved along the way. Lower-value claims may be dealt with through the small claims process, while larger or more complex claims follow a fuller procedure. Because the rules and deadlines are strict, having a civil litigation solicitor guide you helps keep your case on track.
Although every case is different, civil litigation usually follows a familiar path. It starts with taking advice on the merits and the likely cost. Next come the pre-action steps, including a letter before action that sets out the claim and gives the other side a chance to respond. If that does not resolve matters, there is often an attempt at negotiation or mediation. Where the dispute still cannot be settled, a claim is issued at court, the parties exchange their statements of case and then their documents and evidence, and the case is prepared for trial. Many disputes settle before they reach a final hearing. If a case does go to trial, the court gives its judgment, and where money is owed there may be further steps to enforce it.
We advise individuals and businesses on a broad range of civil disputes. These include contract disputes, such as a breach of contract or an unpaid invoice; property disputes, including boundaries, neighbours, builders, and landlord and tenant matters; professional negligence claims against advisers whose work fell short; and debt claims, whether you are owed money or a claim has been made against you. We also help with consumer and supplier disputes, and with disagreements over wills and the administration of an estate. Whatever the dispute, we focus on the practical outcome you are trying to achieve.
It is worth taking advice as soon as a dispute looks likely, rather than waiting for it to escalate. Early advice can protect your position, help preserve important evidence, and make sure you do not miss a time limit. It also means you can weigh up the merits, the likely cost and the realistic outcomes before deciding whether to negotiate, use mediation, or issue a claim. Even if you simply want to understand where you stand, a first conversation costs nothing and can save a great deal later.
Litigation costs depend on how complex a dispute is and how far it has to go, so we are upfront from the first call. For some stages, such as initial advice or a letter before action, we can agree a fixed fee. For the matter as a whole we usually work on an hourly basis, and we always explain the basis of our charges, give you an estimate, and keep you updated as things develop. We will also explain how costs work in litigation, including the general rule that an unsuccessful party may be ordered to pay some of the other side’s costs.
We are a private firm; all civil litigation work is privately funded.
Book a free initial call or a consultation, and we will explain your options and what comes next. No obligation.
Prefer to arrange a proper conversation? Tell us a little about your dispute and choose a time that suits you, in person, by phone or by video. No obligation.
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