Commercial Litigation Solicitors
Specialist commercial litigation lawyers, with our 30 years’ experience helping businesses resolve complex and high value disputes.
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Commercial Litigation Solicitors
Swift legal action can help you to resolve business problems efficiently, effectively, and to your satisfaction. But, whatever type of dispute you are facing, you must appoint commercial litigation lawyers with the experience, understanding and skills to both support and guide you through the legal process.
Our litigation lawyers specialise in high-value and complex cases, advising on claims ranging from £50,000 to multi-million-pound disputes. Our heavyweight litigation solicitors offer first-class legal representation that’s results-driven, comprehensive, and tailored to your unique circumstances.}
For your free initial consultation, please call our litigation lawyers today on 020 7467 3980. Alternatively, you can complete the enquiry form on this page.
Common types of commercial disputes
- Debt recovery
- Shareholder disputes
- Director disputes
- Injunctions
- Contract disputes
- Intellectual property
- Construction disputes
- Breach of contract claims
- Asset tracing
- Property disputes
- Crypto disputes
- Mediation and ADR
Commercial contract disputes
If you are accusing another party of breaching a contract, we can help. This could mean obtaining a court order to force the other side to carry out their contractual obligations or claiming damages to restore the position you would have been in if the contract had been honoured.
On the other hand, if someone has accused you of breaching a contract, we can find out whether a violation occurred, robustly defend your position, and help you to negotiate a swift settlement.
With an eye on your objectives, our litigation lawyers always deploy a pragmatic approach to save you time, money, and potential reputational damage. And regardless of the commercial litigation dispute you are involved in, we will establish what you want to achieve and explain all available options.
Shareholder disputes
Shareholder disputes can quickly become acrimonious and damaging. If not handled correctly, such conflicts can result in expensive legal fees, high levels of stress, and even the end of a business.
Our litigation lawyers have vast experience in resolving shareholder conflict and can end most disputes quickly and with minimal impact on everyone involved. Where resolution is impossible and the relationship cannot be repaired, we ensure a clean break to help everyone move forward in the best possible position.
In the vast majority of cases, we avoid costly and disruptive litigation. However, our litigation solicitors have everything it takes to protect our clients’ positions in court. If you’re stuck in a shareholder dispute and need expert legal advice, contact our litigation lawyers today.
Commercial debt recovery
Recovering money owed to you can be frustrating, emotional, and time-consuming. Our expert litigation lawyers can help you get your money back if your attempts at debt recovery have been unsuccessful.
In most cases, we advise starting with alternative dispute resolution to help reach a legally binding decision without going to court. ADR can be effective when the debtor wants to honour the debt but is struggling to pay it back. However, where such attempts are not suitable or successful, or if the debtor has no intention of paying, we can mount a robust case in court.
As well as debt recovery, our litigation lawyers can help with high-value and complex asset recovery claims. Using all our considerable resources, experience, and legal acumen, our specialist team will pursue your interests to ensure the best possible outcome.
Crypto asset disputes
Crypto assets have revolutionised the financial landscape, but their growing integration into global economic systems has led to an increase in disputes over ownership, misappropriation, and misuse.
At Summit Law, we specialise in this dynamic area of law, offering expert assistance with issues such as fraud, asset recovery, cross-border challenges, and securing interim relief.
Our dedicated crypto asset recovery lawyers support individuals, businesses, and insolvency practitioners in navigating complex crypto-related disputes, including those involving multijurisdictional matters, blockchain technology, cryptocurrencies, and NFTs.
Whether bringing a claim or defending against one, we provide clear, practical advice tailored to your unique circumstances.
Our approach to dispute resolution
Disputes can be disruptive, stressful, and costly for individuals and businesses alike. Resolving conflicts quickly and effectively is essential to minimising disruption and protecting your interests.
At Summit Law, we prioritise early intervention and strategic planning to identify the most effective route to resolution, whether through negotiation, ADR, or, if necessary, litigation.
By exploring every avenue for settlement before resorting to court proceedings, we aim to save you time, money, and unnecessary stress while achieving the best possible outcome.
Types of alternative dispute resolution
Disputes don’t always require a courtroom battle to be resolved. At Summit Law, we provide specialist alternative dispute resolution (ADR) services to help clients resolve disputes efficiently, without unnecessary costs or delays.
Negotiation
Negotiation is often the first step in resolving disputes, providing a flexible and cost-effective way to reach mutually acceptable agreements without the need for court proceedings.
At Summit Law, our early negotiation services are designed to help clients resolve conflicts efficiently, while safeguarding their interests and achieving their goals.
Our negotiation services include:
- Strategic planning: We work with you to identify key objectives, assess the strengths and weaknesses of your position, and develop a tailored strategy for negotiation.
- Expert representation: Our lawyers act as your advocates during negotiations, ensuring your voice is heard, and your interests are protected throughout the process.
- Effective communication: We are skilled in managing sensitive discussions, defusing tension, and fostering constructive dialogue between parties to facilitate agreement.
- Drafting agreements: Once a resolution is reached, we can formalise the terms into clear, legally binding contracts to avoid future disputes.
Mediation
In mediation, the disputing parties work to resolve their issue with the assistance of an impartial mediator in a neutral location. You can be in the same or separate rooms during mediation, depending on your preference.
Mediation can be useful as it focuses minds on the dispute and allows you to be directly involved in negotiating your agreement (rather than being subject to an order decided by a judge). It can also save a considerable amount of time and cost for everyone involved.
Any agreement reached through mediation is generally not legally binding, though it can be formalised into an enforceable settlement if both parties agree.
Our approach towards mediation includes:
- Preparation and strategy: We help clients prepare for mediation by clarifying objectives, identifying key issues, and developing a negotiation strategy.
- Skilled representation: Our lawyers provide guidance and advocacy throughout the mediation process, ensuring your position is clearly articulated and protected.
- Facilitating agreements: We bridge gaps between parties, fostering constructive dialogue and helping to craft agreements that meet your needs.
- Formalising outcomes: If an agreement is reached, we can draft a legally binding settlement document to ensure the resolution is enforceable and durable.
Arbitration
In arbitration, the parties present their case to a neutral third party, known as an arbitrator (or a panel of arbitrators depending on the agreement between the parties).
The arbitrator reviews the evidence, listens to the arguments, and delivers a legally binding decision. This binding outcome makes arbitration a popular choice for businesses as it ensures a fair and final resolution.
International arbitration
International arbitration is a well-established method for resolving disputes between companies or individuals based in different countries. By utilising a neutral tribunal independent of either party’s national courts, this approach offers an impartial forum for addressing international conflicts.
Furthermore, when properly executed, international arbitration awards are straightforward to enforce worldwide, adding to its appeal. Indeed, under the United Nations Convention on the Recognition and Enforcement of Foreign Arbitral Awards, arbitration awards are recognised and are now enforceable in over 160 countries.
Commercial arbitration
Commercial arbitration is a widely used form of dispute resolution for businesses involved in domestic or international disputes. It provides a private and efficient alternative to court litigation, allowing parties to resolve disagreements in a controlled and flexible environment.
Unlike court proceedings, arbitration is conducted privately, protecting sensitive business information and reputations.
Our arbitration services
Our expert litigation solicitors are backed with extensive experience guiding businesses through the arbitration process, whether acting as claimants or respondents. Our services include:
- Drafting and reviewing arbitration agreements: Ensuring clarity and enforceability to provide a solid foundation for arbitration proceedings.
- Representation in domestic and international arbitration: Providing expert advocacy and strategic guidance throughout arbitration cases, regardless of jurisdiction.
- Assistance with arbitrator selection: Advice in choosing arbitrators with the technical knowledge and legal expertise suited to the specific nature of your dispute.
- Enforcing arbitration awards: Managing enforcement of awards in the UK and internationally.
Enhancing negotiations: without prejudice strategies
A key part of our dispute resolution and commercial litigation approach involves leveraging principles like “without prejudice” and “without prejudice save as to costs” to facilitate open, productive discussions.
Without prejudice
The principle of “without prejudice” allows parties to negotiate freely during ADR without fear that their discussions or offers will be used against them in court if a resolution is not reached. This confidentiality encourages honest and productive dialogue, making exploring potential solutions and compromises easier.
At Summit Law, we carefully guide clients in the making of without-prejudice communications to ensure they remain protected while strategically advancing their position during negotiations.
Without prejudice save as to costs
“Without prejudice save as to costs” is a variation of the above principle. While ADR settlement talks stay off-limits during any subsequent trial, this confidentiality is lifted when the court decides who should pay legal fees.
If the opposing party has refused a reasonable offer, and the case then proceeds to court, without prejudice save as to costs can protect your position when it comes to recovering legal fees.
We advise clients on how to frame offers under this principle, ensuring they are fair, reasonable, and in line with procedural rules, maximising the chance of settlement while safeguarding your cost recovery rights.
Injunctions
Injunctions are a critical tool in commercial litigation, used to prevent imminent harm or preserve the status quo while a dispute is resolved. Our litigation solicitors have extensive experience in obtaining and defending against injunctions to protect your rights and business interests.
The types of injunctions we handle include:
- Interim Injunctions: These are temporary court orders issued to maintain the current state of affairs until the full hearing of a case. We can help you obtain an interim injunction to prevent a breach of contract, protect confidential information, or halt damaging conduct.
- Freezing orders: Freezing orders prevent the dissipation of assets, ensuring funds and property remain available to satisfy a potential judgment. We act quickly to secure these orders, especially in cases of fraud or financial mismanagement.
- Search orders: Search orders allow the claimant’s representatives to enter a defendant’s premises to preserve evidence that might otherwise be destroyed. Our litigation team has the expertise necessary to handle the delicate legal and procedural aspects of these orders.
- Prohibitory injunctions: These orders prevent a party from engaging in specific actions, such as disclosing sensitive information or infringing intellectual property rights.
- Mandatory injunctions: Mandatory injunctions require a party to take specific actions, such as returning misappropriated property or removing unlawful obstructions.
Speed, precision, and expertise are vital in injunction matters. Our team offers comprehensive support throughout the process, from evaluating the urgency of your case, to determining whether an injunction is appropriate, securing the appropriate order, and ensuring compliance.
Commercial litigation and a court-based approach
Our partner-led litigation team ensures every case benefits from senior-level oversight, strategic precision, and unparalleled attention to detail. With years of experience resolving disputes across a wide range of sectors, we confidently handle the most complex legal challenges.
Strong negotiation and advocacy skills
Negotiation is at the heart of our dispute resolution strategy. We excel at finding out-of-court solutions that save you time, money, and unnecessary stress.
If a settlement cannot be reached, we are seasoned litigators with the expertise to defend your position robustly in arbitration or at court. Working on both claimant and defendant cases, we anticipate what the other side will do next and use this to your advantage.
Tailored litigation strategies
No two disputes are the same. That’s why we take the time to understand your business, your goals, and the specific details of your case, tailoring our approach to deliver the best possible outcome for you.
Transparent pricing
Quality legal advice can be expensive, so we provide several funding options to ensure you get access to the very best litigation lawyers.
What’s more, so that you always feel in control, as well as providing an estimate before we start your case, we will also update you as your case progresses, so there are never any nasty surprises.
Exceptional client care
Passionate about client care and service excellence, our litigation solicitors take complex issues and make them easy to understand.
Our litigation team is known for delivering clear, jargon-free advice and making even the most complicated matters easy to understand. And our commitment to client care is at the heart of everything we do.
Why choose our dispute resolution lawyers?
Litigation involves resolving disputes through the courts, typically as a last resort when ADR has failed or is unsuitable. While often more time-consuming and costly than ADR, litigation provides the advantage of a legally binding and enforceable decision by a judge.
Our partner-level litigation lawyers are backed with unrivalled experience representing clients in court, ensuring their cases are presented effectively and their rights protected.
We are skilled in a wide range of disputes, including:
- Commercial disputes: Breach of contract, shareholder disagreements, and partnership disputes.
- Crypto asset litigation: Misappropriation, fraud, and smart contract breaches.
- Insolvency matters: Claims arising from liquidation, administration, or bankruptcy proceedings.
- Property disputes: Issues involving real estate, leases, or development agreements.
Our litigation team is skilled at developing clear, persuasive arguments backed by thorough preparation and meticulous attention to detail. From drafting court documents to advocacy in hearings and trials, we handle every aspect of your case with precision and care.
Commercial Dispute Solicitors - FAQs
How you might go about commencing a commercial dispute claim will depend on the dispute, the options available to you and your overall objective.
You will first need to identify the issues at hand, check to see whether any applicable contract expressly states how disputes should be handled, make enquiries to see whether the dispute is covered by any insurance, and check you are within time to take (or respond to) action.
It is worth taking the time to assemble a timeline of events and gather all supporting documentation in relation to the dispute for review by your solicitors.
If you can, it may be worth exploring a pre-action settlement to save time and costs. If that’s not an option, you will need to follow any pre-action protocol that applies.
At all times, you should consider how much the dispute could potentially be worth, whether the person at fault is likely to have the funds to pay, whether it is worth your time in proceeding with action, or whether there is a commercial relationship you would like to maintain.
Alternative dispute resolution (more commonly known as ADR) refers to a range of methods used to achieve a resolution to a dispute rather than becoming involved in court proceedings. ADR includes negotiation, mediation and arbitration.
It depends on the type of ADR. For example, mediation agreements are only legally binding if the parties formalise them into a contract.
In contrast, arbitration awards are legally binding and enforceable, offering a final resolution to the dispute. At Summit Law, we help clients understand the implications of ADR and ensure agreements are effectively implemented.
Class action litigation allows a group of individuals or businesses with similar claims against the same defendant to combine their cases into a single lawsuit.
This approach is often used in disputes involving product liability, financial fraud, or large-scale commercial breaches, making it more efficient and cost-effective for claimants to pursue justice collectively.
While the term “class action” is widely understood, in the UK, these are formally referred to as “group litigation orders (GLOs)” or “collective actions.”
Litigation funding, also known as third-party funding, involves a third-party financier covering litigation costs in exchange for a share of the proceeds if the case is successful.
This option allows claimants to pursue legal action without bearing the financial burden upfront, particularly in high-value or complex cases.
Litigation funding is typically used in commercial disputes, class actions, and insolvency-related claims.
The duration of litigation depends on several factors, including the case’s complexity, the parties’ cooperation, and the court’s schedule.
Simple disputes may be resolved within months, while more complex cases, especially those involving multiple parties or jurisdictions, can take years to conclude. With Summit Law, our business dispute lawyers always aim to resolve matters efficiently while safeguarding our clients’ interests.
The Limitation Act 1980 sets out limitation periods for each cause of action. If a claim is not issued at court by its limitation date it will be “time barred”, which means the potential claimant will no longer be able to bring that claim unless there are extenuating circumstances (e.g. fraud and/or concealment).
The dispute resolution process involves various methods to resolve disagreements between parties, either inside or outside the courtroom. Key stages include:
- Initial assessment: Understanding the nature of the dispute and exploring options for resolution.
- Alternative dispute resolution (ADR): Methods like negotiation or mediation to settle disputes without litigation.
- Litigation: If initial attempts at ADR fail, the dispute is resolved through arbitration or court proceedings, resulting in a legally binding decision.
Contact our litigation lawyers in London
Whatever commercial dispute you are involved in, seek advice as soon as possible to increase the chance of a quick and successful resolution – even in the most complex disputes.
Bringing expertise, experience, and business insight to every case, our litigation solicitors believe that a problem shared is a problem halved, and we put this into practice to remove the burden from your shoulders.
For your free consultation, contact our litigation solicitors today on 020 7467 3980 or complete the enquiry form on this page. We’ll take the stress out of your dispute and guide you toward a positive outcome.
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