Litigation
Resolving Conflict
Our pragmatic litigation team draws on considerable experience across a wide range of simple and complex legal areas for a diverse client base, acting for individuals, companies, charities, regulated and public sector bodies. We are currently striving to be a leader in the dispute resolution sector within the local legal markets, so if you do want your matter to be expertly dealt with, in a cost and time efficient manner, we are on hand to assist. Our litigators and advocates are pro-active, and believe in trying to resolve matters as quickly and effectively as possible.
It is important that when you need it most, a skilled and capable litigation team stands beside you to support, guide and act tenaciously for you wherever that may necessary. Our lawyers have acted and advocated successfully in countless cases, including those before the Magistrates, County and High Courts, as well as the First-Tier and Employment Tribunal.
Whilst not exhaustive, the matters that we most commonly assist our clients in dealing with include, (but are not limited to):-
- Landlord & Tenant Disputes
We regularly assist both Landlords and Tenants with a number of issues including the preparation of assured shorthold tenancy agreements, repossession of residential property, disrepair claims, rent arrears, relief from forfeiture applications, lease renewal notices and applications, (commercial) dilapidations claims and much more. ’
- Debt Recovery
We specialise in all aspects of debt recovery from letters before claim and obtaining a county court judgment (‘CCJ’) through to enforcement action (such as bailiffs, writs of control, third party debt orders, charging orders and attachment of earning orders). We can also assist with the preparation and service of statutory demands and the issuance of both bankruptcy and winding up petitions. We have dealt with complex debt recovery matters in the small claims, multi and fast track.
- Contractual Disputes
Contractual disputes can arise at any time and can cause significant problems for businesses and individuals alike. We can assist with disputes relating to most types of contracts, including employment contracts, supply contracts, service contracts, sale agreements and construction contracts. Whilst we are on hand to assist and advise on your position and your best course of action, we can also review and ‘test’ your contracts to ensure they are adequately robust.
- Director and Shareholder Disputes
Disputes between Directors and/or Shareholders dramatically impact all involved, so it is essential they are dealt with reliably and with your commercial objectives in mind. From hands-on, in-house and private practice experience, our litigation team can act quickly to protect your interests. Commonly we advise on unfair prejudice petitions (where a shareholder takes issue with the running of the company), winding up petitions, claims against directors and negotiated share sales, shareholders agreements and much more.
- Defamation and Reputation-based Claims
When faced with publication of false and damaging allegations, be that on social media, the internet or in hard copy – it is important that you have an experienced dispute resolution team who can act quickly to stop publication (where possible), limit any damage caused, and who can advise you on possible court applications to further protect you and/or your business including injunctive relief.
- Neighbour and Boundary Disputes
Issues with neighbours can prove exceptionally stressful and difficult to resolve, but our team has the expertise to guide you through all forms of neighbour dispute, including boundary disputes, noise and nuisance claims, damage caused by tree roots and/or Japanese knotweed, access issues and various land/property related disputes.
- Property Disputes
We can assist with a wide range of property related disputes including disputes over property transfers, claims under the Trusts of Land and Appointment of Trustees Act 1996 (TOLATA) as well as trespass claims, disputes over rights of way and access, breach of lease covenants, enfranchisement and party wall disputes.
- Contentious Private Client
We deal with contested wills and estates, acting both on behalf of claimants and defendants. We also assist with trust disputes, actions against personal representatives, claims under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975 and actions against trustees.
For more information, or to discuss a different form of litigation, to arrange an initial meeting or telephone discussion, please contact us on 01937 547 000 or email james@hartlaw.co.uk
