Commercial Litigation Solicitors

Clarify whether the dispute concerns a customer, supplier, business partner or another relationship. Identify the legal entities, relevant agreements and the person or organisation that owns the claim. A director's personal concern is not necessarily a claim belonging to that director.

Shareholder, partnership and director issues can involve different statutory or contractual remedies. Explain the issue so Highfin can confirm its accepted scope; this page does not promise specialist company, insolvency or regulatory representation.

• Contract disputes

Keep contracts, variations, correspondence, accounts and evidence of performance or non-payment. Identify the people with first-hand knowledge and preserve relevant electronic records. Avoid relying on a summary that omits adverse facts.

Separate the amount asserted from the evidence supporting it. Explain the effect on operations and the practical result sought. A claim for an overdue balance differs from a dispute about continuing obligations or wider business rights.

• Debt recovery
• Professional negligence

Review applicable limitation, contractual notice and dispute-resolution provisions early. The type of claim and governing law matter; a corporate party does not give every claim the same time limit.

Choose the protocol or general pre-action direction that applies. The Debt Claims Protocol does not generally govern debts owed by limited companies. Exchange enough information to understand the case and consider resolution, without assuming correspondence suspends a deadline.

• Pre-action conduct and protocols
• Pre-Action Protocol for Debt Claims
• Limitation Act: simple contract

Assess whether negotiation, mediation or another agreed process can address the business problem. Consider who can authorise terms, what information is needed and whether a proposed solution can actually be performed.

The court can order engagement in ADR, and conduct may affect costs. Arbitration depends on the agreement and applicable framework; it should not be assumed simply because the transaction is commercial. Any specialist arbitration instruction must be confirmed separately.

• CPR Part 3: case management
• CPR Part 44: costs
• Dispute resolution
• Mediation

Not every dispute between businesses belongs in the Commercial Court. CPR Part 58 concerns a defined specialist court jurisdiction; other County Court or High Court routes may be appropriate. Value, subject, complexity and the relief sought require assessment.

Track allocation and directions determine how the case progresses. Plan for document review, witnesses, any permitted expert evidence and management time. The Civil Litigation page explains general procedure; this page does not claim Highfin has specialist court advocacy credentials.

• CPR Part 58: Commercial Court
• CPR Part 26: allocation
• Civil litigation process

Consider the cost of the dispute alongside its value and the prospects of implementing an outcome. A contractual claim, judgment and successful enforcement are separate stages. The opponent's resources can affect the practical value of proceedings.

Fixed recoverable costs or other costs rules may limit what can be recovered from another party; they do not set every firm's client charges. Ask Highfin to confirm the proposed work, fees and any need for additional specialists. No funding arrangement or outcome is promised.

• CPR Part 45: fixed costs
• GOV.UK: enforcing a judgment
• Contact Highfin