Business disputes drain management time, strain cash flow and put commercial relationships at risk. Connaught Law's commercial litigation team acts for companies, directors and shareholders across the UK — resolving disputes through negotiation and alternative dispute resolution where that protects your position, and through the courts where it doesn't.
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How We Can Help
Contract Disputes
Most commercial litigation starts with a contract that one side says has been broken — unpaid invoices, defective goods or services, missed deadlines, or a counterparty walking away from its obligations. We act quickly to preserve your position: reviewing the contract and correspondence, setting out your claim or defence, and pressing for resolution before costs escalate.
Where the dispute concerns supply, distribution, agency or partnership terms, we combine contract analysis with a clear-eyed view of what the commercial relationship is worth to you. See our dedicated contractual disputes service for how we handle these claims end to end.
Shareholder & Director Disputes
Falling out with a co-owner or fellow director is one of the most disruptive events a business can face. We advise on unfair prejudice petitions under the Companies Act 2006, boardroom deadlock, breaches of directors' duties and disputes over exit terms — always with an eye on the outcome that lets the business keep trading.
Our guides on resolving director disputes and share class disputes explain the legal framework and the practical routes out.
Insolvency & Business Recovery
When a company is in financial distress — yours or a counterparty's — timing determines the options. We act on statutory demands and winding-up petitions, advise directors on their duties when insolvency threatens, and pursue or defend claims arising from administrations and liquidations.
For the wider picture, our corporate insolvency and business rescue guide walks through the procedures and what each means for creditors, directors and shareholders.
Banking & Finance Disputes
We act for individuals and businesses in disputes with banks and lenders — frozen accounts, lending disputes, regulated credit agreements and mis-sold finance products. These matters move fast and often involve a regulator as well as the lender, so early, informed action matters.
Start with our guides on frozen bank accounts, Consumer Credit Act claims and mis-sold car finance.
Commercial Property Disputes
Property is where many business disputes surface — commercial lease disagreements, rent arrears and forfeiture, dilapidations claims, and conflicts over boundaries or rights of way. We act for landlords, tenants and investors, resolving the dispute while protecting the value of the asset and preserving the tenancy relationship where it is worth keeping.
For possession proceedings and landlord matters, see our dedicated property evictions service.
Professional Negligence
When a solicitor, accountant, surveyor or other professional falls below the standard you paid for and it costs you money, you may have a claim. We assess whether the advice or service was negligent, quantify what the failure actually cost you, and pursue the professional and their insurer — following the pre-action protocol that governs these claims so your position is protected from the first letter.
How We Work
Every matter starts with an assessment of the legal merits, the money at stake and the realistic routes to resolution — so you can decide whether the dispute is worth fighting before committing to it. Much of our work is pre-litigation: complying with the courts' pre-action protocols by setting out your case formally, exchanging key documents and testing settlement before court fees are incurred.
Timing matters. Most commercial claims must be brought within six years under the Limitation Act 1980 — and evidence, witnesses and negotiating leverage erode long before any deadline. The earlier we see a dispute, the more options you have.
Why Connaught Law
01Commercial outcome firstLitigation is a tool, not the goal. Every step is weighed against what it wins you commercially — and what it costs.
02Litigation and ADR under one roofThe same team that prepares your case for court advises on mediation and settlement, so no route is pushed for its own sake.
03Senior attention throughoutYour dispute is run by our experienced litigation team, not passed down — with direct access to the person handling it.
04Clear costs, reviewed at each stageYou get a costs picture before each phase, with the cost-benefit case reassessed as the dispute develops.
Fee structures and funding options are set out on our fees page — we discuss costs openly before you commit to anything.
Frequently Asked Questions
What counts as commercial litigation?
Any dispute arising from business activity — broken contracts, shareholder and director conflicts, debt and insolvency matters, banking disputes and professional negligence. If it threatens your company's money, assets or control, it belongs here.
Will my dispute end up in court?
Most don't. The majority of commercial disputes settle through negotiation or mediation before trial. We prepare every case as if it will be heard — that preparation is usually what produces the settlement.
How long does commercial litigation take?
Disputes resolved by negotiation can conclude in weeks or months. A claim that proceeds through court to trial typically runs a year or more, depending on complexity and the court's timetable. We give you a realistic timeline at the outset and update it as the matter develops.
What will it cost?
It depends on the dispute's complexity and how far it runs, so we won't quote a number before understanding your case. Our fees page explains our fee structures, and you'll have a costs estimate before each stage begins.
Facing a business dispute?
Tell us what's happened and what's at stake. We'll give you a clear view of your position, your options and the realistic costs — before you commit to anything.
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