Commercial disputes can arise between businesses or between a company and an individual. They include contractual disputes, small claims, debt recovery, property disputes – including commercial landlord and tenant disputes and professional negligence disputes. Very often parties turn to the help of a specialist commercial dispute resolution solicitor to resolve issues and, where possible, assist the parties to reach an agreement without court intervention.
SHU Law solicitor, Rebecca Draper specialises in commercial dispute resolution and has many years’ experience working at city law firms. Rebecca closely supports law students working at SHU Law to advise and represent clients who have a commercial dispute. That may involve advising clients on how best to respond to a claim and the prospects of it being successful; or if the claim is being made against the client, evaluating the claim to assess if there is a good defence.
With a broad experience of dispute resolution, the department can advise clients on a range of cases, including those that are legally complex and contentious, helping them achieve the most desirable results.
Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR)
Alternative Dispute Resolutions (ADR) are negotiations which enable you to resolve a dispute amicably without the need to go to court. These may be done via correspondence, an informal round table or through mediation and arbitration.
Arbitration
This is a formal type of ADR, involving a tribunal process and an independent arbitrator. They will hear both sides of a dispute before coming to a decision. Arbitration is legally binding and enforceable in the same way as a court judgment.
Mediation
Mediation is a less formal type of ADR, which focuses on facilitating communication. It is typically more cost effective and has the added benefit of being confidential, so it is becoming an increasingly popular way to resolve disputes.
SHU Law lawyers and several students from Sheffield Hallam University have undertaken a mediation course which enables them to accept instructions as civil and commercial law mediators.
Read more about the course here.
What happens when a case cannot be resolved by ADR?
If the case can’t be resolved through negotiations, then it will be necessary to go to court and ask a judge to determine the case. This can be daunting, especially if you have little or no experience of the court system. Rebecca has extensive expertise representing clients in both the County Court and High Court so will be able to guide you through the entire process.
How much will it cost me?
As a not-for-profit law firm, we may be able to take on your case at little or no cost to you. You will be required to pay any court fees and third party expenses associated with your case should you be unable to resolve it through negotiations.
For more information, contact Rebecca on 0114 225 3082 / r.draper@shulaw.co.uk.