Contract dispute solicitors

Resolve commercial disputes before they escalate. Our contract dispute solicitors advise businesses across the UK on dispute strategy, settlement, and pre-action correspondence, helping you protect your position without the cost and time of going to court.

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When a commercial dispute starts to escalate, the cost of getting it wrong rises quickly. Court fees, legal costs and time lost to litigation can dwarf the original disagreement, even when you are in the right. Our Manchester-based contract dispute solicitors advise businesses across the UK on commercial and contract disputes at the pre-litigation stage, working to resolve matters through dispute strategy, pre-action correspondence and settlement negotiation. The aim is to protect your commercial position and reach a sensible outcome before formal proceedings become necessary.


How our contract dispute solicitors help businesses resolve disputes

From contract breaches to shareholder fallouts, the earlier the right advice is in place, the better the outcome.

Contract dispute advice

Where a customer, supplier or
business partner has breached a contract. Position assessed, options explained, and the strongest commercial route forward identified before things escalate.

Pre-action correspondence

Letters before action and pre-action protocol correspondence drafted with care. Done properly, the right letter often resolves a matter without proceedings ever being issued.

Settlement negotiation

Strategic advice on settlement
terms, with input throughout to help reach a commercial outcome that protects your interests and avoids the cost of court.

Shareholder and partner isputes

Where co-founders, shareholders or
business partners disagree on
direction, exits or distributions.
Focused advice to protect your
stake and keep the business
functioning.

Supplier and customer disputes

Disagreements over scope,
payment, performance or
termination. Practical guidance on
rights, obligations and the most
effective way to bring the matter to a
close.

Dispute strategy and risk review

Early-stage strategic review of the
dispute, the relevant contracts, and
the commercial stakes. Useful
before any letters are sent or
positions are taken publicly.

Our team includes qualified solicitors with experience advising on commercial disputes and pre-litigation strategy.

Why business choose MAR Legal for commercial dispute advice

Solicitor led advice

Direct access to an experienced legal team from day one

No obligation consultation

Speak to our team before you commit, no-obligation.

Transparent Pricing

You know what to expect from the outset, no hidden costs or surprises

Manchester based, UK wide

20+ years of combined commercial dispute experience

Commercial office buildings in Manchester city centre

What This Means for You

  • A clear understanding of your legal and commercial position
  • A strategy to resolve the dispute efficiently
  • Reduced risk of escalation into costly proceedings
  • Stronger negotiating position from the outset
  • The opportunity to preserve commercial relationships where appropriate

Trusted by businesses across the UK for clear, commercial advice when disputes arise.

Book a consultation
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How our commercial dispute resolution process works

01

Book a consultation

Tell us about your situation.

02

We assess your position

Contracts reviewed and the strength of your case considered.

03

We advise you

Clear strategy, settlement options, and pre-action correspondence guidance throughout.

04

Resolution or referral

Most matters settle. Where proceedings are needed. We refer to a regulated partner firm.

When to seek advice

  • A supplier, client or business partner has failed to meet their contractual obligations
  • You have received a letter of claim or pre-action correspondence
  • A business relationship has broken down and you need to understand your legal position
  • You are considering whether to pursue or defend a commercial claim
  • You want to explore settlement or negotiation before the situation escalates to court
commercial lease advice manchester

We provide pre-litigation legal, advisory and documentation support. Where formal proceedings are required, we work alongside appropriately regulated law firms.

Contract dispute FAQs

A letter before action, sometimes called a letter before claim, is a formal letter sent to the other party setting out the dispute, what you want them to do, and the consequences if they don't respond. It is required under the pre-action protocol before most claims can be issued in court. At MAR Legal, our contract dispute solicitors draft these letters carefully, because done well, the right letter often resolves a matter without proceedings ever being issued.

Yes. The pre-action protocol sets out the steps parties are expected to take before issuing court proceedings, including exchanging information, attempting settlement, and giving the other side a fair chance to respond. Failing to follow it can result in cost penalties later. Our contract dispute solicitors advise on the protocol that applies to your dispute and handle the correspondence on your behalf.

In most cases, yes. The majority of commercial disputes settle before reaching court, often through negotiation, mediation, or alternative dispute resolution. Court is expensive, slow, and unpredictable. Our contract dispute solicitors focus on resolving disputes commercially at the pre-litigation stage, with referral to a regulated partner firm if formal proceedings become unavoidable.

Most commercial contract disputes have a limitation period of six years from the date of the breach, though some claims have shorter periods. The earlier you take advice; the more options remain open. Waiting can weaken your position and limit the routes available to resolve the matter.

A partnership dispute arises when business partners, co-founders or shareholders disagree on how the business should be run, how profits should be distributed, or how one party should exit. Common triggers include breaches of a partnership agreement, disagreements over business direction, or one partner acting outside their authority. Partnership disputes can escalate quickly and damage the business in the process, which is why early legal advice on strategy and options tends to produce better outcomes than waiting for the situation to deteriorate.

Most business partnership disputes are resolved without court proceedings, through negotiation, mediation, or a structured settlement between the parties. The starting point is usually a review of the partnership or shareholders' agreement, the conduct of each party, and the commercial stakes involved. Our contract dispute solicitors focus on pre-litigation advice: assessing your position, advising on your options, and handling correspondence to bring the matter to a close on the best available terms. Where formal proceedings become unavoidable, we refer to a regulated partner firm.