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Disputes and recovery

Act early enough to preserve your options.

Early case assessment, negotiation and court representation for commercial, property, contract and recovery disputes.

Triage · about 2 minutes

Dispute urgency check

Three practical questions. The result is indicative guidance, not legal advice, and nothing is submitted.

  • A deadline or threat has arrivedYou have received a demand, pleading, notice or urgent communication that requires a controlled response.
  • The relationship has broken downPerformance, payment, ownership or contractual expectations are now disputed.
  • A debt remains unpaidYou need to assess proof, recovery prospects, negotiation leverage and the proportionate enforcement route.
Question 1 of 3Is there a court, statutory or contractual deadline within 14 days?

Scope & deliverables

What we take responsibility for.

Starting points, not packages forced onto every matter. The final scope is confirmed in writing.

01

Early case assessment

  • Chronology and evidence review
  • Merits and recovery analysis
  • Recommended route and budget stages

TimingUrgency is confirmed from the triggering documents

02

Negotiation and settlement

  • Position and leverage analysis
  • Without-prejudice strategy
  • Settlement documentation within scope

TimingCounterparty conduct affects the timetable

03

Court representation

  • Pleadings and procedural strategy
  • Evidence and hearing preparation
  • Representation through agreed stages

TimingCourt directions and interim applications control timing

Process timeline

Know what happens on both sides.

  1. Preserve your position

    YouSend the demand, pleadings, agreement, messages and deadline.

    HTLAWe identify immediate procedural, evidence and asset risks.

  2. Choose the objective

    YouClarify the commercial outcome, constraints and settlement range.

    HTLAWe assess merits, leverage, cost and realistic resolution paths.

  3. Run the agreed route

    YouApprove staged decisions as facts and responses develop.

    HTLAWe negotiate, file or appear within the defined scope and keep decisions visible.

Fee range

Fees set within the Advocates Remuneration Order.

Professional fees exclude VAT and official or third-party disbursements unless the written quote says otherwise.

InstructionFee guidanceTiming
Early case assessmentFixed initial scope where practicableUrgency is confirmed from the triggering documents
Negotiation and settlementStaged quote according to complexityCounterparty conduct affects the timetable
Court representationStage-based quote after case assessmentCourt directions and interim applications control timing
Estimate a fee memo Build your debt recovery checklist

Documents are shared through a private, encrypted intake link, never by email.

Before you instruct

Practical questions.

Clear answers help you decide whether to share documents, book advice or keep researching.

Information on this page is general guidance and does not create an advocate–client relationship. Formal advice begins after conflict checks and written engagement.

What should I send for an early case assessment?

A short chronology, the key agreement, invoices or payments, relevant messages, any demand or pleading, and the outcome you want.

Will the matter have to go to court?

Not necessarily. The right route depends on urgency, leverage, evidence, enforceability, the counterparty and the value of a negotiated result.

Can you act urgently?

Where conflict, capacity and the record permit. Send the exact deadline and triggering document first.

How are litigation fees structured?

Usually by stages after an early assessment. Court fees, process service, experts and other disbursements are treated separately.

Start here

Still deciding? Send the outline and we will tell you honestly whether this is the right legal route.

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