Contract Disputes

Our specialist commercial disputes lawyers are experts in resolving a wide range of contract disputes. Our experienced team advise business clients throughout the South West and beyond on the best strategies for tackling contract disputes and getting to a satisfactory outcome as quickly as possible.

Contracts are the foundation of all business relationships and the law around them can be complex. When disputes arise it is vital to seek representation from lawyers who are experts in the technical law and also the various resolution methods available so that you have best possible chance of securing a positive and cost-effective outcome.

In addressing any contract dispute, our first focus is to understand your priorities – what you want to achieve and what is most important to you. Drawing on the strength and business expertise of our Corporate & Commercial, Commercial Property and Rural teams, we will develop a tailored legal approach that works for your business and best protects your rights and interests. Whether you are dealing with a dispute with a supplier or a customer, we have the expertise to guide you towards the most effective and favourable resolution. At every stage of the process, we will also ensure that you know your rights, and understand your obligations and the potential risks and costs involved.

Types of contract dispute

There are many kinds of contract disputes and our team of expert commercial dispute lawyers can help you with all of them. The most common disputes that we encounter include:

• Mistakes: if a mistake has been made during the formation or execution of a contract, we will assess its impact and provide you with strategic advice on how to address the situation effectively.
• Disputes over terms: we handle disputes arising from disagreements or ambiguities regarding the interpretation or application of contract terms. Our goal is to resolve these disputes swiftly and in a manner that aligns with your best interests.
• Breaches of contract: if one party fails to fulfil its contractual obligations, we will act on your behalf and advise on remedies available to you. Our objective is to seek appropriate compensation or specific performance to rectify the breach. We can also defend you against claims for breach of contract, helping you to find the most effective way to resolve the dispute.
• Debt recovery: we understand the challenges that businesses face when dealing with outstanding debts. Our dedicated Debt Recovery team are here to help you efficiently and effectively recover the money owed to you.
• Procurement challenges: we understand the effort and cost that goes into bids and tenders, particularly for large-scale or public-sector contracts and the potential consequences of participating in a procurement process that is either unfair or unlawfully managed. We are here to help with advising on any procurement challenge.

Our contract dispute experts can represent you in contract disputes at various courts, including the High Court, the County Court, the Business and Property Courts, and the Companies Court. Our team is skilled in navigating the complexities of these legal arenas, ensuring your case and your interests are robustly represented.

Approaches to contract disputes

In many contract disputes, an alternative dispute resolution (ADR) method such as mediation, expert determination or arbitration, may be the best approach. Our team is highly skilled in all forms of ADR and has used these methods to achieve positive outcomes for clients across a range of disputes and sectors.

However, inevitably, some cases will require court proceedings and when they do, our commercial litigators have the skills and experience to be as robust and aggressive as is required to achieve the best outcomes for your business. Our team has a track record of success in handling complex cases, and we have been involved in notable cases reported in law reports, including disputes involving fiduciary duties and successful costs appeals.