UK
As commercial disputes become more complex, you need to be confident that the advice you receive is commercial, pragmatic and tailored to your specific needs. Our commercial disputes solicitors have extensive experience in handling a wide range of domestic and international disputes.
We have experience at all levels and divisions in the UK Courts and in arbitrations governed by the rules of numerous arbitral bodies. We regularly advise on a broad range of commercial litigation matters including share purchase agreements (SPAs), contract terminations and warranty, shareholder and general contract disputes. With many distinct areas built into our commercial dispute resolution offering, you can be sure we are prepared to advise you at the most difficult of times.
Commercial disputes legal services
Risks to an organisation's reputation and finances can have devastating effects. Our team has multijurisdictional experience representing corporations and individuals facing serious criminal or regulatory investigations and prosecutions. Whether it is fraud, corruption, regulatory actions, personal scandals or cyber incidents, our Corporate Investigations team is able to advise you in difficult times.
We regularly advise businesses in relation to a wide range of disputes (as well as post-completion disputes) arising from venture capital and private equity transactions, including disputes within the investment structure / portfolio or connected with purchases or disposals.
We can support you in relation to disputes (at any stage) in relation to cryptoasset and blockchain technologies, including asset tracing and recovery, information gathering and commercial actions. Whether the dispute concerns cryptocurrencies, NFTs or other digital assets, our team has experience in this emerging area and can advise you on the impact of the rapidly evolving legal landscape, working as appropriate with our wider FinTech and Financial Services Regulatory teams.
We cover all aspects of litigation concerning cyber security and data protection. From helping you settle on favourable terms or recovering damages and data, we can help develop a robust litigation strategy. Our approach will carefully assess the facts, your business objectives and the defences available to you.
The complexity of the environment surrounding financial services makes disputes unavoidable. Our team's deep understanding of the sector paired with technical excellence results in clear, commercial advice focused on achieving the best possible outcome.
Our fraud and asset recovery lawyers have worked across some of the most high profile cases in recent times. With a strong track record in both the public and private sectors, we work quickly across multiple jurisdictions to recover your stolen assets.
Our insurance lawyers advise across a wide range of clients, including insurance companies, Lloyds' syndicates, MGUs and insurance brokers. Providing clear, fully considered legal advice with a commercial awareness, we resolve disputes wherever possible while fighting our hardest for you when necessary.
International arbitration offers greater choice and control over the management of a dispute when operating in the global marketplace. In addition, it provides confidentiality and potentially easier recognition and enforcement of awards. Bringing together lawyers from across the UK, Europe, Asia, the Middle East and Canada, our team has extensive experience of arbitrations across the world.
As the technology evolves, so do the digital risks for businesses. From cyber incidents and data protection to dispute avoidance and management, our IT litigation experts will guide you through to the resolution of any information technology dispute.
Mediation is a cost-effective tool that provides a flexible and confidential process, allowing all parties the control to decide whether to settle and on what terms. Our team is highly experienced in advising on a range of disputes, aiming to solve them quickly to ensure minimum disruption to commercial relationships.
We have extensive experience supporting overseas clients with all procedural stages of an appeal to the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council. From preparing or responding to the Notice of Appeal through to the hearing and subsequent costs proceedings, our team has represented appellants and respondents, corporates and individuals. Contact the team for more information.
The consequences of regulatory crime can be severe. From bad publicity to fines and imprisonment, avoiding, managing and mitigating these risks is crucial to saving money and protecting your brand. Our team will stand alongside you in difficult situations and devise a strategy to achieve the best possible outcome.
Our team has a wealth of experience when it comes to trust disputes – both onshore and offshore. Acting for professional trustees in complex litigation, we draw on our network of advisors to provide a seamless service wherever your proceedings may be. Recognised for its experience advising trustees and private wealth funds, our Trusts Litigation team regularly deals with cases in the BVI, Bermuda, Cayman Islands, Jersey, Guernsey and Singapore, as well as the High Court in London.
Client work
Exceptional case management, flexibility and proactiveness.The Legal 500
We handle a broad range of domestic and international work seeing all kinds of commercial disputes. Some of our recent or current cases have included:
Trusts litigation
Defending claims against two corporate trustees, which arose out of the Bernard Madoff Ponzi scheme, bringing to an end 11 years of litigation with an $860 million global settlement.
Contractual claims
Acting for Indian investors in defending a contractual claim for over US$51 million from Formula One World Championship Limited arising out of the hosting of the Indian Grand Prix.
Shareholder action
Acting for the majority shareholder of a national lighting and technology company in respect of a s995 minority shareholder action in the Companies Court.
Fraudulent Ponzi scheme
Advising the joint liquidators of Stanford International Bank following the collapse of a fraudulent Ponzi scheme empire.
Fraudulent misrepresentation
Successfully defending Chris and Nick Candy in the long-running dispute with Mark Holyoake and his corporate co-claimant Hotblack Holdings.
Group litigation order
Advising Amec Foster Wheeler plc and other Amec group companies in multiple sets of proceedings subject to a group litigation order.
Awards and accolades
Great communicators, proactive, passionate, an extension of our in house team.The Legal 500
Recognised by a host of legal directories and awards, our commercial disputes team is a well-known name in the market. The team was ranked by The Legal 500 in tier one for 'Commercial Litigation: Birmingham' in 2020. Chambers and Partners have also recognised the team for its litigation work in the Midlands, placing it in band two, highlighting the "accuracy and clarity of the firm's work".
In London, our commercial disputes team is ranked in tier two for 'Commercial Litigation: mid-market' by The Legal 500.
The team was shortlisted for 'Commercial Litigation Team of the Year' at the Legal Business Awards in 2019 and 'Dispute Resolution - Firm of the Year (outside London)' at The Legal 500 UK Awards 2019.
Meet the team
For strategic advice and guidance in commercial disputes and litigation, get in touch with a key contact from our team.
James Sidwell
Partner
Andrew Witts
Partner
Catherine Naylor
Partner
Emma Carr
Partner