Business
Even with the best preparation, commercial disagreements can arise. When a dispute threatens your business interests or you are facing civil court proceedings, early, expert legal advice can make a significant difference. Our dispute resolution solicitors support businesses at every stage, helping to protect commercial relationships while working towards a practical and effective outcome.
Civil and commercial dispute resolution is the process of resolving disputes between businesses, organisations and other parties, either through negotiation or, where necessary, through the courts. As experienced business dispute lawyers, we provide clear guidance on the most appropriate route for your situation, whether that involves formal litigation, mediation or alternative dispute resolution.
Taking advice at an early stage can often prevent disputes from escalating. Hewitts Solicitors offers a professional yet approachable service, built on straightforward legal advice and a strong understanding of commercial risk. Our litigation lawyers work proactively on your behalf to resolve disputes efficiently and cost-effectively, always with your business objectives in mind.
We regularly act for businesses in matters including:
Most of the work that we undertake is charged on an hourly rate basis. Our hourly rates range between £160 + VAT (for a Paralegal or Trainee Solicitor) and £295 + VAT (for a Partner, or a Solicitor with 8+ years qualified experience). If there is a defined limit to the work that we are instructed to undertake (such as drafting a single letter, or a Court document on your behalf) we may be able to act for you pursuant to a fixed fee, which would be discussed and agreed with you in advance of commencing any work on your behalf.
We will also explore whether your case may be subject to a policy of insurance that would cover your legal costs and expenses.
These costs apply where your claim is issued at court. You as the Claimant are responsible for paying the issue fee which is dependent upon the value of your claim. This fee will be in addition to our hourly rate fees as above.
Below is an overview of our typical range of fees chargeable in a standard, undisputed Debt Recovery case. These fees are based on the estimated level of work required, applying the hourly charges referred to above and are used as an example of what you could expect to pay. Each claim will incur its own level of costs based on the value and complexity of the dispute. We will always discuss costs with you from the outset, and we aim to be realistic with our estimates.
| Debt value | Court fee | Our fee (excl. VAT) | VAT on our fee | Total (incl. VAT) |
| Up to £5,000 | £35-205 | £1000 – £3,000 | £200 – £00 | £1200 – £3,600 |
| £5,001 – £10,000 | £455 | £2,000 – £5000 | £400 – £1000 | £2,400 – £6,000 |
| £10,001 – £200,000 | 5% of the value of the claim | £3,000 – £10,000 | £600 – £2,000 | £3,600 – £12,000 (plus Court fee) |
| More than £200,000 | £10,000 | £5,000 – £25,000 | £1,000 – £5,000 | £16,000 – £40,000 |
Anyone wishing to proceed with a claim should note that:
Our fee includes:
Matters usually take 4 – 26 weeks from receipt of instructions from you to receipt of payment from the other side, depending on whether or not it is necessary to issue a claim. This is on the basis that the other side pays promptly on receipt of Judgement in default. If enforcement action is needed, the matter will take longer to resolve.
You can view our dedicated Dispute Resolution team members here. Each solicitor within the team has extensive experience handling debt recovery matters, from small claims under £10,000 through to complex, multi-track litigation involving the recovery of seven-figure sums. Acting as experienced civil litigation solicitors and business dispute lawyers, we regularly represent clients in the recovery of both undisputed and disputed debts. Our team is fully equipped to pursue matters through the courts where required, including taking decisive enforcement action to secure the best possible outcome for your business.
