Commercial Dispute Resolution Solicitors
Our Commercial Dispute Resolution Solicitors provide legal guidance on dispute resolution, including negotiation, mediation, arbitration, expert determination and litigation. See how we can help below.
Enquire NowResolve a business dispute with clear, strategic legal advice
Business disputes can quickly become distracting, costly and stressful. Whether a disagreement is just beginning, you have received a formal letter of claim, negotiations have stalled, proceedings are underway, or you need to enforce a judgment, we will help you understand your position and the next best step.
At JLN, we take a practical, commercially focused approach to dispute resolution. We do not treat disputes as battles to be fought for their own sake. We treat them as business problems to be solved.
Our role is to help you protect your position, reduce risk, preserve leverage and resolve the matter as efficiently as possible. Where a negotiated outcome is achievable, we will help you get there. Where urgent action, formal proceedings or robust litigation are required, we will act decisively.
You will receive clear advice on merits, risk, cost and strategy before any significant step is taken.
Speak to our commercial dispute resolution team for clear advice on your options, risks, costs and next steps. Click HERE to see our dispute resolution services.
Whatever stage your dispute has reached, we can help
You may be unsure whether you need to send a formal letter, respond to allegations, propose mediation, issue proceedings, defend a claim, apply for an injunction or enforce a judgment. You may also be worried about costs, reputational damage, commercial disruption or whether taking legal advice will escalate the situation.
We will help you assess the dispute calmly and strategically, including the strength of your position, the evidence available, any urgent deadlines, the likely costs and the most appropriate route to resolution.
We take a holistic approach to dispute resolution and will always consider whether there are sensible ways to reach a settlement without immediately taking the adversarial litigation route through the court system.
Ways a dispute may be resolved
There are several ways a commercial dispute may be resolved:
- Negotiation – The parties discuss the dispute directly or through solicitors to try to reach a practical settlement.
- Mediation – The parties work with an independent mediator to explore settlement and try to resolve the dispute without court proceedings.
- Arbitration – The parties present evidence to an arbitrator, who makes a legally binding decision.
- Expert determination – The parties appoint an independent expert to decide a technical or specialist issue, often on a confidential basis.
- Litigation – The dispute is resolved through court proceedings where other methods are unsuitable or have not succeeded.
Where are you in your dispute?
Every dispute is different. The right approach will depend on the stage you have reached, the urgency of the situation, the strength of your position and the outcome you want to achieve. The table below is designed to help you identify where you are in the process and how we will help you take the next step.
| Where you are in the dispute | You may need to… | How JLN will help |
| Early warning signs or a dispute beginning to develop | Understand your rights, review the relevant contract, preserve evidence, avoid making admissions, assess risk and decide how to communicate with the other party. | We will help you identify risks early, protect your position and prevent the dispute from becoming more expensive or entrenched. |
| Pre-action, negotiation or settlement discussions | Send or respond to a letter before action, enter settlement discussions, propose mediation or consider whether court proceedings can be avoided. | We will advise you on the most appropriate route, prepare clear correspondence and support you through negotiations, settlement discussions, mediation or other forms of ADR. |
| Formal proceedings or litigation | Issue or defend a claim, respond to pleadings, prepare evidence, deal with disclosure, make or respond to applications, prepare for trial or consider settlement during proceedings. | We will give you strategic advice on the strengths and weaknesses of your case, guide you through each procedural step and keep the approach aligned with your commercial objectives. |
| Urgent protection, enforcement or specialist advice | Prevent harm, preserve assets, protect confidential information, stop unlawful conduct, manage reputational risk, enforce a judgment or respond to a cross-border issue. | We will act quickly to assess the legal threshold, gather evidence, prepare urgent correspondence and, where appropriate, make or respond to an emergency application. |
If you are unsure which stage your dispute has reached, we will help you assess the position, understand your options and decide on the most effective way forward.
Contact us for an initial, no-obligation discussion or email wewillhelp@jonathanlea.net.
Our Dispute Resolution Services
(In alphabetical order)
Why choose JLN
- Commercially focused advice. We focus on the practical outcome for your business, not on litigation for its own sake.
- Clear guidance from the outset. You will get straight advice on merits, risk, cost and next steps before you commit to any major decision.
- Strategic, proportionate approach. We look first for sensible ways to resolve disputes efficiently, including negotiation and ADR, while remaining ready to litigate when needed.
- Responsive support in urgent situations. If the matter needs immediate action, we can move quickly to protect your position, preserve evidence and advise on urgent remedies.
- Advice tailored to your objectives. We take time to understand the commercial context, so our approach stays aligned with what matters most to you.
How we can help
If you are unsure which stage your dispute has reached, we will help you assess the position, understand your options and decide on the most effective way forward. Contact us with a brief summary of the issue and any key documents or deadlines.
Based on the information you share, we will provide enquiries with an indicative scope of work and fee estimate, based on the information you share. We aim to respond within one working day.
In the same email, you will be invited to arrange a 20-minute complimentary, no-obligation video consultation, should the proposed scope of work and fee estimate be of interest. This initial discussion is designed to better understand your requirements, refine the scope, and ensure our approach is fully aligned with your objectives.
Where you would prefer to receive initial advice and guidance from the outset, we may instead recommend a fixed-fee consultation (from £250 + VAT) as a more appropriate starting point. This enables us to provide considered, tailored advice at an early stage.
To make an enquiry, please email us at wewillhelp@jonathanlea.net, complete our contact form, or call us on 01444 708640.
FAQs: Commercial Dispute Resolution
Take advice before sending a detailed response, terminating a contract, withholding payment, making admissions or threatening proceedings. The first step is usually to review the contract, preserve evidence, understand your legal position and decide on a strategy. Not necessarily. Good dispute resolution advice should help you avoid unnecessary escalation. In many cases, we advise behind the scenes, helping you communicate clearly and strategically without immediately moving to formal proceedings. No. Many commercial disputes are resolved through negotiation, mediation, expert determination, adjudication, arbitration or settlement discussions. Court proceedings may be necessary in some cases, but they are not always the first or best option. ADR means alternative dispute resolution. It refers to ways of resolving disputes outside a full court trial, including negotiation, mediation, expert determination, adjudication and arbitration. Mediation is a confidential negotiation process facilitated by an independent mediator. The mediator does not impose a decision. Arbitration is more formal: an arbitrator hears the dispute and makes a decision that is usually binding. If the other party refuses to engage constructively, we can advise on formal pre-action steps, tactical correspondence and whether proceedings or urgent applications are appropriate. Costs depend on the complexity, value, urgency and procedural stage of the dispute. We will explain the likely cost-benefit position at the outset and discuss suitable fee arrangements where possible. Yes. We can advise whether you are bringing or defending a claim, responding to a letter before action, preparing for mediation, dealing with disclosure, considering settlement, approaching trial or enforcing a judgment. Yes. If urgent action is needed to prevent harm, preserve assets, protect confidential information or stop unlawful conduct, we can advise quickly on the available remedies and next steps. It is helpful to gather the relevant contract, correspondence, invoices, meeting notes, board minutes, chronology of key events, details of losses and any deadlines or threats of action. Do not worry if the position is not fully organised; we can help you identify what matters.
Take control of the dispute before it controls your business
A dispute does not have to derail your business. Wherever you are in the process, we will help you understand your options, assess the risks and decide on the most effective next step.
Our team will provide clear, commercially focused advice tailored to your circumstances.
Speak to our commercial dispute resolution solicitors today to understand where you stand and what to do next.
Our Commercial Dispute Resolution Team
What Our Clients Say
Request a Free
No Obligation
20 Minute Call
This introductory call is to discuss your matter so we can provide a well-considered quote.
However, please be aware that the free 20 minute call is at our discretion. If you are more looking for advice and guidance on an initial call, we may instead offer a one-hour fixed fee appointment instead.
Our fixed fee appointments are between £250 plus VAT to £350 plus VAT* depending on the complexity of the issues and seniority of solicitor taking the call