Breach of Contract Solicitors
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Breach of Contract Solicitors
Breach of
Contract Solicitors
Contracts are the foundation of any successful business – ensuring clarity, trust, and legal protection in commercial relationships. But when a contract is breached, it can lead to financial losses, operational disruptions, and reputational damage.
To minimise the fallout, you need swift and strategic support from breach of contract solicitors. Our team specialise in high-value and complex breach of contract disputes ranging from £50,000 to over £1 million.
For your free initial consultation, please call our breach of contract lawyers today on 020 7467 3980. Alternatively, you can complete the online enquiry form and we’ll call you right back.
What is a breach of contract?
Types of breach of contract
When you appoint us, we will establish the type of contract breach you are dealing with. How we deal with your dispute depends on both the type of breach and the parties involved.
A breach of contract claim will typically fall into one of the following categories:
- Minor breach of contract – where it is often simple to reach a resolution.
- Material breach of contract – which can have serious consequences if not resolved.
- Fundamental breach of contract – meaning the contract can be legally terminated if the innocent party so wishes.
- Anticipatory breach of contract – where one party explicitly states they will not be carrying out a term/condition of the contract.
Breach of contract examples
Whether you are pursuing or defending a claim, our breach of contract solicitors provide strategic, cost-effective solutions to protect your business and commercial interests.
We support our clients with claims involving (but not limited to):
- Construction contract disputes
- Breach of employment contracts
- Misrepresentation claims
- Commercial lease and building contract disputes
- Disputes over contracts of sale/hire
- IP disputes
- International contract disputes
- Supplier/service agreement disputes
- Warranty and indemnity matters
How do you prove a breach of contract
Sometimes, it is difficult to know whether a contract has been breached. Especially as many commercial contracts are complex and frustratingly vague. Our expert breach of contract lawyers will start by establishing if a violation has occurred and, if so, how serious it is.
To do this, our breach of contract solicitors will:
- Prove a legally binding contract existed in the first place.
- Clarify what part of the contract was breached and how it was breached.
- Look at whether the breach caused any loss (a loss must be suffered before compensation is awarded).
- Examine whether reasonable steps were taken to mitigate the impact of the breach.
Once we have established the facts, we’ll provide a clear, honest opinion on your chances of success.
What are the remedies for breach of contract?
When a contract is breached, the right legal remedy can make all the difference in protecting your business interests and mitigating financial loss. Depending on the nature and severity of the breach, potential remedies include:
- Damages (financial compensation): Designed to put the injured party in the position they would have been in had the contract been performed properly.
- Specific performance: When money alone isn’t enough to fix the damage caused by a broken contract, the aggrieved party may prefer to force the breaching party to follow through with their obligations.
- Injunctions: The court may grant an injunction to stop a breach from continuing (prohibitory injunction) or force a party to act in accordance with the contract (mandatory injunction).
Termination: If a contract is fundamentally breached, the innocent party may have the right to terminate it and seek damages.
Breach of contract alternative dispute resolution options
Resolving contract disputes without court action can save time, costs, and business relationships. Our goal is to resolve disputes quickly and cost-effectively, often through negotiation and ADR – so you can focus on running your business.
Alternative dispute resolution (ADR) options following a breach of contract include:
- Negotiation: This involves open discussions with the other party to reach a mutually agreeable solution.
- Mediation: A voluntary and confidential process where an independent mediator helps both parties reach an agreeable outcome. If an agreement is reached, we can help you formalise this into a legally binding settlement.
- Arbitration: A legally binding ADR method where an independent arbitrator makes a decision on the dispute.
- Adjudication: Available in construction disputes, allowing for a quick and enforceable decision – typically within 28 days.
Making a claim with our expert breach of contract solicitors
If you believe a contract has been breached, our expert breach of contract solicitors will guide you through the claims process, helping you achieve the best possible outcome.
Our specialist team will help you by:
1. Reviewing the contract
Understanding whether a contract has been breached can be complex. Our breach of contract lawyers will:
- Examine the contract terms to determine if a breach has occurred.
- Assess the severity of the breach – whether it is minor, material, or fundamental.
- Clarify your legal position and the available options, including negotiation, ADR, or legal action.
- Identify potential remedies you can seek, such as damages, contract termination, or specific performance.
Once we have established a breach, we will provide clear and practical advice on your next steps.
2. Gathering evidence
If a breach of contract has occurred, you will need strong evidence to support your claim. This might include:
- The signed contract and any written amendments.
- Emails, letters, or messages proving the breach.
- Records of financial loss or damages caused by the breach.
- Witness statements or expert reports.
By building a clear, compelling, and well-supported claim, we maximise your chances of securing a favourable outcome.
3. Seeking an early resolution to your contract dispute
Where appropriate, we typically attempt to negotiate an amicable outcome via ADR. Open and proactive communication early on can prevent disputes from escalating, saving you time, money, and business relationships.
4. Pursuing a legal claim
Where a contract dispute cannot be settled out-of-court, we will advise on whether court proceedings are likely to achieve a positive result – and at what cost. Where court action is advisable, we will support you with robust legal representation and action.
If your claim is successful, the court may award damages or another remedy. Should the breaching party refuse to comply, we will guide you through the enforcement process.
Defend against a claim with our specialist breach of contract lawyers
If your business is facing a breach of contract claim, we can help you protect your interests with a robust legal defence. This typically involves:
- Assessing the claim: We will carefully review the claim, identifying any weaknesses in the case against you.
- Advising on the best defence strategy: There are several potential defences to a breach of contract claim. For example, if a force majeure clause exists in the contract, external events (e.g. pandemics, wars, etc.) could excuse performance.
- Exploring early resolution options: Where appropriate, we will explore early resolution options to protect your business while avoiding unnecessary legal costs.
- Making a counterclaim: If the claimant has also breached the contract, we may advise filing a counterclaim to recover your own losses.
- Defending you in court: If court action is unavoidable, we will build a strong legal defence to challenge the claim.
Reasons to choose our breach of contract solicitors
Contract disputes can be complex, stressful, and financially damaging. That’s why we offer a pragmatic, results-driven approach tailored to your business needs.
Here’s why clients turn to Summit Law for substantial claims:
- Expertise in commercial disputes: Our litigation solicitors specialise in high-value and complex breach of contract claims, ensuring a strong legal strategy.
- Strategic and cost-effective solutions: We focus on resolving disputes swiftly and efficiently, minimising disruption to your business.
- Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) specialists: Wherever possible, we help avoid litigation through negotiation, mediation, and arbitration.
- Transparent fees and honest advice: We provide clear cost estimates upfront and regular updates throughout your case.
- Proven track record: With years of experience handling breach of contract claims across multiple industries, we have successfully helped businesses and individuals achieve favourable outcomes.
Breach of contract - FAQs
A material breach is a serious contract violation that significantly impacts the agreement, preventing the injured party from receiving the expected benefits. For example, if a supplier fails to deliver a critical component necessary for production, this could be considered a material breach, as it disrupts business operations.
If you’re unsure whether a contract breach is material, our litigation solicitors can assess your case and advise on the best legal course of action.
Yes, misrepresentation can lead to a breach of contract claim if one party makes false or misleading statements to persuade the other to enter into an agreement. If misrepresentation is proven, the affected party may have the right to cancel the contract (rescind it) and claim damages.
The amount you can claim in a breach of contract case depends on:
- The financial losses suffered
- The severity of the breach
- Whether the contract includes a liquidated damages clause.
Our contract dispute solicitors can assess your claim and provide a tailored estimate.
No, a contract does not have to be a written document to be breached. A contract can be breached regardless of whether it was a verbal, written or implied agreement between parties.
At Summit Law, our breach of contract lawyers believe in an honest, transparent and jargon-free approach, so you always know where you stand. This transparency also applies to our fees.
We’ll give you an estimate of the cost at the outset of your case, and so you always feel in control, we’ll update the estimate at regular intervals as your case progresses.
We will always be entirely upfront about the likelihood of successfully bringing or defending any court action, ensuring you do not waste time, money and effort on court proceedings that are unlikely to get you the outcome you need.
Contact our commercial breach of contract lawyers
Our team at Summit Law are uniquely equipped to handle high-value and intricate breach of contract disputes. With a proven track record across multiple sectors, we always aim to provide strategic solutions that protect your financial and business interests.
Whether you are facing a potential contract breach or require urgent advice to protect your interests, we are here to help navigate the legal process..
For your free consultation, contact our breach of contract solicitors today to explore your legal options. Simply call 020 7467 3980 or complete our online enquiry form.
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