Construction dispute advice for UK businesses
Know where you stand before you decide whether to negotiate, adjudicate, litigate or take another step.
We help contractors, subcontractors, developers, architects, consultants and construction professionals review the facts, contract and evidence before deciding the next step.
You need clear advice before this costs you more
A construction dispute can take time, money and focus away from your business.
You may be dealing with:
- An unpaid construction invoice
- A contract that is not clear
- A dispute with a contractor or subcontractor
- A delay or defect claim
- A project that has stalled
- A JCT, FIDIC or NEC contract issue
- A threat of adjudication or court action
Before you send another email, threaten legal action or start adjudication, it helps to understand what the contract and evidence show.
For construction businesses and professionals dealing with a dispute
We may be able to help if you are a:
- Main contractor
- Subcontractor
- Developer
- Architect
- Consultant
- Construction business owner
- Construction professional
This is for businesses and professionals who need clear advice on a payment, contract or project dispute.
It may also be suitable where there is a contentious commercial or civil dispute, including breach of contract, with a clear commercial reason to proceed.
Get in Touch
Find the right construction dispute support
Our Key Services
Construction Law (Contentious)
Strategic legal advice and representation for construction disputes, including delays, defects, breaches of contract, and project disruption.
Construction Adjudication
Advice on whether adjudication may be the right route for your dispute.
Construction Law (Non-Contentious)
Drafting and negotiating construction contracts to manage risk and ensure project success
Construction Regulations
Guidance on compliance with complex construction regulations, ensuring your business is protected
Contract & Commercial Disputes
Resolution for breach of contract, shareholder and partnership disputes, business-to-business disagreements, misrepresentation claims, debt recovery, professional negligence, supply chain disputes, and other commercial litigation matters, whether construction-related or across other business sectors.
Debt Recovery
Recover unpaid invoices and enforce debt claims efficiently.
International Arbitration
Cross-border dispute resolution through arbitration.
Litigation
Civil & commercial litigation across the UK, including both construction and non-construction matters.
Why construction businesses contact us
Construction dispute focus
Advice based on facts, contract and evidence
Barrister-led support
Fixed instruction fee basis
Clear process from enquiry to instruction
Suitability checked before work begins
Know the scope and fee before work begins
A construction dispute may involve more than one instruction. For example, one case may have several separate stages, such as reviewing the contract, advising on the position, preparing a response, starting adjudication or taking litigation steps where suitable.
This means you know:
- What work will be carried out
- What the fee is for that instruction
- What the expected timeline is
- What is included
- What is not included
- What may need a separate instruction later
This helps keep the process clear and reduces the risk of confusion about fees, scope or timing.
The aim is clear advice, clear scope and practical next steps before you spend money on the wrong action.
Trusted by UK Businesses
We’re proud to support a wide range of UK businesses — from main contractor, subcontractor, developer, architect, consultant, construction business owner, construction professional. Here’s what some of our clients have said about working with us.
Highly recommended, MCL took the time to explain my situation and the steps involved to resolve. Got me the results and more importantly the money I was due, which I had given up on. Very professional whilst also been friendly.
Nadeem Chaudhry
Excellent professional and efficient service. Would highly recommend.
Axel Dara
Great work from MCL. Quickly outlined the position and the actions that needed to be taken. Fast and good value for money.
Leo Bocci
Very happy to support MCL team. We have known MCL for some years in terms of our mutual interest in construction, ourselves as a professional Business Development Consultancy.
While our business has always run smoothly, we had occasion to use MCL legal expertise in a very tricky situation several years ago when an aggressive UK construction data provider threatened us with severe legal action over alleged misuse of data, even though we had had a good relationship with them for years.
MCL provided us with immediate legal support to demolish their case and remove any possibility of action against us. We’ve always found MCL highly professional – and also friendly and easy to talk to. We are very happy to recommend the team to other firms and business people.
David Crick
Frequently Asked Questions
We’ve done the work, but we haven’t been paid. What can we do?
Start by checking the contract, invoice, payment terms and written communication. The right next step depends on the facts, value and evidence. My Commercial Lawyers can help you understand whether the matter is worth pursuing.
Is adjudication the right next step?
Adjudication may help with some construction disputes, but it is not right for every matter. The right route depends on the contract, evidence, value and commercial position.
Can we send a legal letter ourselves?
You can, but the letter should match your contract position and legal route. A weak or incorrect letter can make the dispute harder to manage. It is sensible to check the facts and contract before sending a formal response.
What should we send with an enquiry?
Send the key facts, contract, invoice, emails and any documents linked to the dispute. Include what the other side has said. This helps the team understand whether the matter is suitable.
What happens after we submit the form?
After you submit the form, follow the instructions to join your Trello matter board. You can then share the issue, contract and key facts. The team reviews suitability before confirming the next step.
How does the fixed instruction fee basis work?
My Commercial Lawyers works on a fixed instruction fee basis. The scope and fee for each instruction are confirmed before that instruction begins.
Can you help developers with construction disputes?
Yes. My Commercial Lawyers may be able to help developers where there is a construction payment, contract or project dispute with a clear commercial reason to proceed.
Can you conduct litigation?
Yes. My Commercial Lawyers can conduct litigation where suitable. The right route depends on the facts, contract, evidence and value of the dispute.
Do you only handle construction disputes?
Construction disputes are the main focus. Suitable contentious commercial and civil disputes may also be reviewed where there is a clear commercial reason to proceed.
Will we receive written advice?
Written advice or a written summary should be confirmed before instruction. Ask at the start what will be provided in writing for your matter.
Check your construction dispute options
Get in touch with our team for trusted legal advice and support.
If you have a payment, contract or project dispute, you do not need to keep guessing.
Share the issue, contract and key facts so My Commercial Lawyers can review whether this is something they can help with.
You can find out whether your matter fits before committing to the next step.
Email Address
reception@mycommerciallawyers.com
Telephone Number
+44 (0) 208 087 4177
Office Address
7 Bell Yard, London, WC2A 2JR
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