Contentious commercial dispute advice
Know where you stand before you take the next step on a business dispute.
My Commercial Lawyers’ main focus is construction disputes. Suitable contentious commercial and civil disputes may also be reviewed where there is a clear commercial reason to proceed.
Commercial Dispute UK
A commercial dispute can affect payment, contracts, business relationships and your ability to move forward. You may be dealing with a breach of contract, unpaid sums, a failed agreement, a disputed service, or a business relationship that has broken down.
My Commercial Lawyers’ main focus is construction disputes. Suitable contentious commercial and civil disputes may also be reviewed where there is a clear commercial reason to proceed.
Share the issue, contract and key facts so the team can review whether this is something they can help with.
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
You do not need legal action for the sake of it.
You need to know where you stand.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
- 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
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Is this matter suitable?
A commercial dispute can affect payment, contracts, trading relationships and your ability to move forward.
This page is for businesses dealing with a serious dispute where legal advice may be needed before action is taken.
My Commercial Lawyers may review matters involving:
- Breach of contract
- Unpaid business invoices
- Disputed agreements
- Failed commercial arrangements
- Supplier or service disputes
- Business-to-business disputes
- Misrepresentation issues
- Settlement disputes
- Professional services disputes
- Claims made against your business
- Disputes that may need a formal response or litigation
That separates this page from the general Construction Disputes page.
You may be thinking:
“We need to know where we stand.”
“The contract is not clear.”
“Is it worth taking legal action?”
“I need clear advice before this costs us more.”
The contract is not clear.
This page is not for every business disagreement. The matter should have a clear commercial reason to proceed.
Commercial disputes can become costly when the next step is unclear
A business dispute can start with one missed payment, one unclear contract term or one failed promise.
At first, you may try to resolve it yourself.
You may chase payment, send emails, review the agreement or speak to the other side. But if the issue does not move forward, you need to understand your position before taking formal action.
Before sending a legal letter, starting a claim or defending a dispute, it helps to know:
- What the contract says
- What was agreed
- What evidence supports your position
- What the other side may argue
- Whether the matter is worth pursuing
- What the next step may involve
- What the next instruction may cost
You do not need legal action for the sake of it.
You need clear advice based on the facts, contract and evidence.
How My Commercial Lawyers helps with contentious commercial disputes
My Commercial Lawyers starts by reviewing the facts, documents and commercial reason to proceed.
The aim is to help you understand whether the dispute is suitable, what the likely route may be and what the next instruction could involve.
1. Clarify the dispute
The team reviews what has happened, what is being claimed and what outcome you are trying to achieve.
This may involve unpaid sums, contract terms, failed obligations, disputed services or a claim made against your business.
2. Review the contract and evidence
The relevant documents are reviewed to understand your position.
This may include contracts, invoices, emails, terms and conditions, settlement documents, correspondence, payment records or evidence of work completed.
3. Review the possible routes
The right route depends on the dispute.
Possible next steps may include:
- Negotiation
- A formal response
- A letter before action
- Settlement discussions
- Litigation
- Another route based on the facts
The aim is to avoid spending money on the wrong action.
4. Make the next step clear
If the matter is suitable, the next instruction is scoped before work begins.
You should know what work will be carried out, what the fee is and what the expected timeline is for that instruction.
Commercial disputes that may be reviewed
Breach of contract disputes
If one party has failed to meet its obligations under a contract, the first step is to review the agreement, what happened and what evidence supports the claim or defence.
Unpaid business invoices
Some unpaid invoices are straightforward. Others become wider disputes about performance, scope, delivery, defects or contract terms.
The right route depends on the evidence, value and commercial position.
Supplier and service disputes
Disputes with suppliers or service providers may involve payment, delivery, quality, delay or failure to meet agreed terms.
Business-to-business disputes
Commercial disagreements between businesses can affect cash flow, trading relationships and ongoing operations.
My Commercial Lawyers may review suitable matters where there is a clear commercial reason to proceed.
Misrepresentation disputes
If a party entered into an agreement based on information that may have been incorrect or misleading, the dispute should be reviewed before action is taken.
Settlement disputes
If a settlement agreement has not been honoured or the terms are disputed, the documents and communications should be reviewed.
Litigation where suitable
If the dispute cannot be resolved through negotiation or another route, litigation may be considered where suitable.
Know the scope, fee and timeline before each instruction begins
My Commercial Lawyers works on a fixed fee instruction basis.
A contentious commercial dispute may involve more than one instruction. For example, one case may include several separate stages, such as reviewing the contract, advising on the position, preparing a formal response, issuing a letter before action, considering settlement, or taking litigation steps where suitable.
Each instruction is scoped before it begins.
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.
How suitability is assessed
My Commercial Lawyers starts by reviewing whether the matter is suitable.
The team may consider:
- What the contract or agreement says
- What was agreed between the parties
- What evidence supports your position
- What the other side may argue
- Whether the dispute is worth pursuing
- Whether litigation may be needed
- Whether there is a clear commercial reason to proceed
- What the next instruction may involve
The aim is to help you understand whether this is something My Commercial Lawyers can help with before work begins.
If the matter is suitable, the next step is scoped clearly.
What Happens After You Enquire
Share the issue, contract and key facts
You do not need to know the legal route before you enquire.
Start by sharing what has happened.
1. Complete the website form
Tell the team about the dispute, who it involves and what help you need.
2. Join your Trello matter board
After submitting the form, follow the instructions to download Trello and join your matter board.
This gives the team one place to collect the key facts, documents and updates.
3. Upload the key documents
Share the contract, emails, notices, invoices, payment records, drawings, specifications, project records and any evidence linked to the dispute.
4. Suitability is reviewed
The team reviews the facts, contract and evidence to check whether this is something they can help with.
5. The next step is confirmed
If the matter is suitable, the next step, fixed fee instruction, client care letter and invoice are arranged before work begins.
You can find out whether your matter fits before committing to the next step.
Contentious commercial dispute FAQs
What is a contentious commercial dispute?
A contentious commercial dispute is a business dispute where the parties disagree about payment, contract terms, performance, obligations, loss or legal responsibility.
It may need negotiation, a formal response, settlement discussions or litigation.
Does My Commercial Lawyers handle all commercial disputes?
No. Construction disputes are the main focus.
Suitable contentious commercial and civil disputes may be reviewed where there is a clear commercial reason to proceed.
Can you help with breach of contract disputes?
Yes. My Commercial Lawyers may be able to review suitable breach of contract disputes where there is a clear commercial reason to proceed.
The contract, facts and evidence should be reviewed before deciding the next step.
Can you help recover unpaid business invoices?
Possibly. The team can review whether the issue is a payment dispute, a debt matter or a wider contract dispute.
The right route depends on the evidence, value and commercial position.
Can you help if a claim has been made against my business?
Yes, where suitable. Share the claim, contract, correspondence and key facts so the team can review the position.
Is litigation always needed?
No. Litigation is not always the right route.
Some disputes may be better suited to negotiation, a formal response, settlement discussions or another step.
How do I know if the dispute is worth pursuing?
The matter should be reviewed against the contract, evidence, likely route, value and commercial reason to proceed.
That is why the first step is to share the key facts.
How does the fixed fee instruction basis work?
Each instruction is scoped before it begins.
You are told what work will be carried out, what the fee is and what the expected timeline is for that instruction.
A case may involve several separate instructions.
What happens after I submit the form?
You will be asked to follow the instructions to join your Trello matter board.
This helps the team collect the facts, contract and evidence in one place before suitability and the next step are reviewed.
What should I send with my enquiry?
Send the contract or agreement, key emails, invoices, payment records and any formal documents linked to the dispute.
Contact Our Barristers & Solicitors
Get in touch with our team for trusted legal advice and support.
Whether you are facing a construction dispute, dealing with regulatory prosecution, or require expert advice on compliance issues, we are here to provide clear, strategic legal support.
reception@mycommerciallawyers.com
Phone
+44 (0) 208 087 4177
Office Address
7 Bell Yard, London, WC2A 2JR
Don’t wait—secure the legal support you need today!
