Disputes need to be understood and carefully managed to optimise the chances of a successful recovery or settlement that minimises the disruption, inconvenience and stress inherent when a working relationship fails and litigation or some other form of dispute resolution results.

The firm has particular strength and experience in the following areas:

Shareholder
and director disputes

Advising a pharmaceutical company and a wholly owned subsidiary company in a very substantial, complex multi-party shareholders' dispute and damages claim.

Construction
Disputes

Construction projects are about the allocation and management of risk with the aim of achieving practical completion on time and within budget.We are experienced in residential and commercial construction projects in the UK and advise developers, contractors, sub-contractors and construction professionals on a broad range of issues including:

  • Dispute Avoidance and Resolution
  • Contract Interpretation
  • Delay Analysis
  • Payment
  • Design Liability
  • Defects and Professional Negligence
    Emcor Drake & Scull v Sir Robert McAlpine Ltd [2004] All ER (D) 341 CA.
    Brian Warwicker Partnership v HOK International Ltd [2005] EWCA Civ 962

Insurance
and reinsurance

We advise brokers, underwriters, insurance and reinsurance companies and other professionals across a broad range of issues arising in insurance and reinsurance including:

  • Claims Handling
  • Claims Coverage and Disputes
  • Coverage and Notification
  • Product Development and Policy Wordings
  • Credit Insurance
  • Reinsurance Disputes and Recoveries


Drafting global property and casualty policy wordings for leading international brokers.

Secretan and Feltrim Names litigation.

Hill v Mercantile and General Reinsurance Company Plc (1996) 5 Re LR 461 a leading case on "follow the settlement" clauses.

Various claims under the Lloyd's Arbitration Scheme including an arbitration for a seven figure sum which involved allegations of misrepresentation and non disclosure, interpretation of the policy wording ('facultative obligatory treaty' described as a 'variable quota share treaty') and technical matters such as top and drops, cascades, working layers and XL on XL protections.

Acting for a large State owned Eastern European reinsurer who participated on XL policies underwriting various Lloyd's syndicates. Business both direct and non direct. Arbitration proceedings commenced which lead to a standstill agreement and a global commutation being discussed and agreed. Legal issues involved limitation and settlements outside the terms of the policies.

Employment
Disputes

Employees are the most important asset to any business. Dealing with any problems effectively is critical. Employment law can be a minefield for employers who have a raft of complex regulations to contend with and for employees whose rights are often no clearer.

We can assist with employment issues, be it managing difficult work based situations, drafting or negotiating contracts, agreements or policies.

We have expertise in conflict resolution and dealing with redundancy or dismissal scenarios.

The firm provides tailored, clear and practical legal advice and delivers effective support so as to free up companies and individuals to concentrate their time and resources on running their business more profitably.