Disputes occur in the business world. Whether it be making a claim against another party or finding yourself on the receiving end of a claim, the process can be difficult, time-consuming and stressful. It is, therefore, important to assess the right course of action and determine the precise response at all stages.
Securing the right outcome can be critical for a business’ reputation and even its longevity. While no one enters into business intending to conduct litigation, there can be occasions where using the civil law is the best or only way to protect your or your business’ interests. That is why the right advice on the right issues at the right time is vital. This is what we provide.
Our team of experienced commercial litigation and dispute resolution lawyers provide expert representation and advice to businesses and individuals involved in a wide range of corporate disputes. From Blue Chip companies and huge institutions through to sole traders, individual investors and high net worth individuals.
Our specialist litigators have represented clients on a wide range of major contractual and business disputes ranging from:
Whether it is how to proceed before bringing a claim (pre-action considerations), defending a claim or looking to recover what you are entitled to, we have the skills and experience to secure the right result.
It should always be remembered that commercial litigation does not have to involve bringing proceedings or reacting to them. Nor does it have to lead to a date in court. There are many options available to resolve disputes efficiently and cost-effectively outside of court.
Our commercial litigation solicitors are experienced in various types of dispute resolution methods including:
These methods can be used on their own or alongside an aggressive litigation strategy to achieve the right outcome. When it comes to deciding what is the best course of action for your situation we will carefully explain the options and advise on the best strategy.
At Rahman Ravelli, we put all our legal and tactical expertise to work for those seeking a just outcome.
Good commercial litigation advice has to relate to each and every aspect of a case (or potential case) and anticipate all possible developments and responses. As we said, we provide this for individuals and the largest corporates; for whom we will often work alongside their general counsel. Each case receives the same high levels of meticulous research, preparation and execution in order to maximise the chances of success.
Rahman Ravelli has unprecedented strategic experience across a depth of fields that other law firms cannot replicate. We put this to work for you.
Commercial litigation encompasses the resolution of disputes arising from commercial and business relationships through the civil courts. It covers a wide range of matters including breach of contract, fraud and misrepresentation, shareholder and partnership disputes, director's duties claims, professional negligence, tortious claims, and recovery actions. Commercial litigation in England is handled primarily by the Business and Property Courts, which include the Commercial Court, the Chancery Division, and specialist courts such as the Financial List.
Litigation involves resolving disputes through the civil court system, resulting in a judgment that is enforceable through the courts. Arbitration is a private dispute resolution process in which the parties agree to refer their dispute to an independent arbitrator or panel whose decision (the award) is binding. Arbitration offers advantages including confidentiality, the ability to choose specialist arbitrators, and greater flexibility in procedure. International arbitration awards are enforceable in over 160 countries under the New York Convention.
Mediation is a process to facilitate settlement of a dispute and it can be used at any point, whether proceedings are in litigation or arbitration. Parties can only refer their dispute to arbitration if their is prior written agreement to do so. Otherwise, the dispute will be resolved through litigation. When a contractual dispute arises, parties must check the relevant contract to discern the correct dispute resolution procedure. If parties have a choice, the business should consider how important confidentiality is, the need for urgent interim relief such as a freezing order, and the importance of establishing a public precedent when deciding between litigation and arbitration.
Pre-action disclosure allows a party to obtain disclosure of documents from a potential defendant before formal proceedings are issued, where those documents are likely to be relevant to the claim. Information and documents obtained through pre-action disclosure can be used to assess the strength of a potential claim before issuing proceedings, or to gather evidence needed to properly formulate the claim.
The general rule in English civil litigation is that the losing party pays the winning party's reasonable legal costs — the 'costs follow the event' principle. However, the court has wide discretion to depart from this rule based on the conduct of the parties, the outcome on individual issues, and whether the parties complied with pre-action protocols. Costs can be assessed summarily at the end of a hearing or by detailed assessment if the parties cannot agree. The high costs of English litigation make costs management and early assessment of risk a critical consideration.
A search order (formerly Anton Piller order) is an urgent interim order that permits the applicant to enter the respondent's premises, search for, and inspect documents and other items in order to preserve evidence that might otherwise be destroyed. It is one of the most draconian remedies available in civil litigation and is granted only in exceptional circumstances where there is clear evidence that the respondent will destroy relevant material if given notice. It is most commonly sought in intellectual property, fraud, and confidential information cases.
The English High Court grants injunctions on the American Cyanamid principles: the claimant must demonstrate there is a serious question to be tried; that damages would not be an adequate remedy; and that the balance of convenience favours the grant of the injunction. In the most urgent cases — particularly those involving fraud, confidential information, or imminent harm — injunctions can be granted within hours on a without-notice basis. The applicant must give an undertaking in damages as a condition of the order.
Commercial disputes — particularly those involving fraud, cross-border elements, or high-value claims — require a combination of strategic legal thinking, courtroom experience, and the ability to deploy interim remedies swiftly and effectively. The English legal system is highly respected internationally, but navigating it effectively requires deep procedural knowledge and a network of specialist counsel. Specialist solicitors also bring industry knowledge relevant to the specific context of the dispute, whether that is financial services, energy, construction, or other sectors.
