Businesses don’t plan for legal disputes at their inception, but they are an inevitable part of commerce. When trade disputes arise, you must have competent legal support to protect your livelihood and interests.

At Gifford Cairns, we have a team of trade dispute solicitors with years of experience in litigation, negotiation and trade dispute resolution. We recognise that each dispute is different, and we always seek to gain a hands-on understanding of the matter to get the best results possible for our clients.

Our diverse clients range from owner-operated SME’s, smaller companies, construction experts, local contractors and tradespeople; meaning we have a versatile understanding of the unique challenges faced by businesses of all sizes, allowing us to provide tailored legal solutions that support growth, mitigate risks, and resolve disputes efficiently.

Our Areas of Expertise

• Supply of Goods and Services
• Director Duties, Fiduciary Duties and Corporate Governance
• Breach of Contract
• Partnership Disputes
• Shareholder Disputes
• Asset Sale Disputes
• Construction Disputes
• Engineering Disputes
• Insurance Policy Disputes
• Landlord & Tenant Disputes
• Boundary Disputes

Disputes can be intricate and expensive. For this reason, it is preferable to seek an informal (out of court) resolution first. If that fails, you should inform the Court that you have made an early effort to resolve the dispute. This is extremely important when it comes to the matter of legal cost assessment.

How to Approach Informal Dispute Resolution 

• Be calm and articulate your concerns clearly.
• Share relevant evidence with the counterparty to ensure all parties are well informed.
• Listen to the perspective of your counterparty.
• Be open to mitigation and closed to hostility.
• Consider mediation.

If your Dispute is Resolved Informally

• Seek legal advice to ensure the agreement is valid.
• Engage a solicitor to assist with the drafting of any agreements.
• Ensure all parties sign and witness the agreement.
• Ensure your solicitor files the agreement with the relevant authority.

We have the tools and experience to progress your issue from all stages, whether this be early negotiation or later litigation. We will be on hand to support you through your legal journey.

Whatever your situation, our team is dedicated to gaining a full understanding of your matter to provide honest advice and practical results.