A dispute can turn your life, or your business, upside down almost overnight. It brings conflict, uncertainty, and pressure you didn't ask for.
We understand what that pressure feels like, and we're here to guide you through it with professional, supportive, and reassuring advice.
Before anything reaches a courtroom, we'll always help you consider Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) first, so you can look at faster, less costly ways to resolve things where they're available to you.
"Lloyd Legal Experts solicitors took all the stress and strain out of a difficult and complex litigation matter. I would 100% recommend them."
Mr Dean
Example Areas of Dispute
Civil Litigation
Landlord / Tenant Dispute
Small Claims
Commercial Litigation
Land Dispute
Sale of Goods
Contested Probate
Breach of Contract
Education
Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR)
Mediation
An independent mediator helps you and the other party talk through the issue and find a solution you can both live with. The mediator won't decide the outcome for you, that stays in your hands.
Expert Determination
An independent expert makes the call on technical or specialised questions, like how a contract should be interpreted or what a business is worth.
Concilation and Early Neutral Evaluation (ENE)
A third party gives you an honest assessment or steer, helping you reach a settlement before things go any further.
Arbitration
A formal process where an independent arbitrator hears both sides and makes a binding decision. It works much like court, but it's usually faster and stays private.
Adjudication
A neutral adjudicator makes a quick, interim decision on your dispute. It's most common in construction and commercial contracts, and the decision usually stands unless it's later challenged in court or arbitration.
Ombudsman
An independent official investigates your complaint, often about a public service or large company, and makes a recommendation or decision. Whether it's binding depends on the scheme.
Collaborative Law
You, the other party, and your respective lawyers work together from the outset to find a solution without going to court. Everyone commits to that goal upfront.
Negotiation
The most informal route. You, or your representatives, talk directly with the other party to try and reach an agreement, without anyone else deciding the outcome for you.
Private Financial Dispute Resolution
Often used in family law, this gives you an independent view, from a private judge or senior lawyer, of how a financial dispute might play out if it went to court
Steps for raising a claim through the court
1
Informal approach / Solicitors
Instructing Lloyd Experts to correspond on your behalf is an option many clients choose when a direct approach has been unsuccessful.
In such circumstances, we will prepare formal written communication outlining the nature of the dispute and the relevant legal position in a clear and professional manner.
Where appropriate, we may also recommend arranging an informal “round table” discussion between the parties, with the aim of facilitating constructive dialogue and working towards a mutually acceptable resolution.
2
Formal Letter before claim / action
Where all informal approaches and ADR options have been exhausted or are no longer considered appropriate, the next step is to issue a formal Letter Before Claim (also known as a Letter Before Action).
Issuing a Letter Before Claim is an important stage in the dispute resolution process. It formally sets out the details of the claim and provides the respondent with a reasonable opportunity to resolve the matter before legal proceedings are commenced.
In most cases, the respondent should be given a minimum of 14 days to respond and address the issues raised.
3
Money Claim Online
(MCOL)
Once a Letter Before Claim has been issued and the respondent has been given a minimum of 14 days to respond, you may proceed with issuing formal court proceedings if the matter remains unresolved.
To commence proceedings, a claim must be submitted through the Money Claim Online service.
This requires the claimant to create an account on the portal and provide the necessary information and documentation relating to the claim before it can be formally issued.
Court Fees outlined below.
Court Fees
The court fee is based on the amount you’re claiming, plus any interest.
Claim upto £300
Fees £35
£1,000.01 to £1,500
Fees £80
£5,000.01 to £10,000
Fees £455
£300.01 to £500
Fees £50
£1,500.01 to £3,000
Fees £115
£10,000.01 to £200,000
Fees 5% of the claim
£500.01 to £1,000
Fees £70
£3,000.01 to £5,000
Fees £205
More than £200,000
Fees £10,000
