We are experienced in all types of court action from the High Court to the local County Courts and Tribunals.

Costs

Costs are always a prime consideration and we encourage our clients to discuss our fees with us from the outset. We provide estimates of likely expense and send interim bills and costs updates throughout the case. We are able to offer a range of funding options including no win – no fee and fixed fee arrangements.

ADR

Today’s disputes require modern solutions. Court action is no longer the only alternative. We can advise on the best option for you and can act for you in:

• arbitration
• adjudication
• expert determination
• mediation
• negotiation
• Representation

If a hearing cannot be avoided our experienced advocates can represent you in court. We know your case better than anyone else and in you can have confidence that we can put it across clearly and that we will fight your corner. In appropriate cases or where very specialist expertise is required we will instruct a barrister – but not just as a matter of routine and not without full discussion with you about costs and alternatives.

Effects of Coronavirus on court proceedings

We have a Protocol for the conduct of court hearings during the Coronavirus Pandemic, which will apply until further notice to all proceedings in the County Court, High Court and Court of Appeal (Civil Division), including the Business and Property Courts. The clear intention is that as many hearings as possible will take place remotely, although a small minority of hearings may have to be done in a court room.

Remote Hearings

The court will contact the parties in good time before the hearing date about how the remote proceedings will be conducted. It will be decided whether they will be video or audio proceedings and the software that will be used. The main options being BT MeetMe, Skype for Business, Zoom, court video link, BT conference call or an ordinary telephone call. The court will record the hearing, but the parties will not be allowed to do so without the permission of the Judge.

If a remote hearing is not possible the case is very likely to be adjourned. However the courts have made it clear that hearings will go ahead, unless there are exceptional circumstances or both parties prefer to adjourn.

In principle a hearing may be held with only part of the evidence or submissions being given or made in person and part remotely. Usually this will be because certain witnesses have an issue with attending court but the advocates and other witnesses do not.  The interest of justice are always paramount and each case will be looked at according to its own circumstances and partly remote hearings will be fairly unusual.