Dispute Resolution

At Coole Bevis, our Dispute Resolution team specialises in resolving conflicts across a broad spectrum of legal areas. Our experienced, specialist team provides solutions-focused, pragmatic and cost-effective advice on a wide range of disputes, including contractual disputes, debt recovery, sales of goods claims, property disputes, professional negligence claims, contentious trust and probate disputes, and defamation. We will always seek the most appropriate resolution for each individual client, where possible avoiding the uncertainty and expense of litigation.

With years of experience and a proven track record in this field, we are committed to helping individuals and businesses reach the best possible outcome, whether through negotiation, mediation, arbitration, or litigation.

We understand that legal disputes can be complex, emotional, and financially taxing. Our goal is to take the weight off your shoulders by providing expert guidance and support throughout the process, with the aim of working towards your desired outcome.

How We Can Help

Our highly skilled team has extensive experience handling a wide range of disputes, from personal conflicts to complex, high-value business matters. Whether you’re an individual dealing with a personal dispute, a company facing contractual issues, or a property owner embroiled in a boundary disagreement, we offer tailored advice specific to your situation. Our focus is always on finding a swift and effective resolution while keeping you informed and involved at every stage.

Our Dispute Resolution Services Include:

Commercial Litigation
Contractual Disputes
Property and Boundary Disputes
Professional Negligence Claims
Contentious Trusts and Probate
Construction and Building Disputes
Debt Recovery
Employment Disputes
Landlord and Tenant Issues
Defamation and Reputation Management

Why Choose Coole Bevis for Your Dispute Resolution Needs?

Expertise in All Areas

Our experienced solicitors are experts in resolving disputes across a wide range of legal areas, ensuring you receive the best possible advice and representation.

Tailored Legal Solutions

We provide personalised strategies that suit your individual circumstances, focusing on achieving an outcome that meets your needs and objectives.

Strong Client Relationships

We invest in long-term relationships with our clients, enabling us to understand your concerns deeply and provide advice that is both effective and pragmatic.

Dedicated Point of Contact

You’ll have a dedicated solicitor who will handle your case, ensuring clear, consistent communication throughout the process.

Cost-Effective Solutions

We aim to resolve disputes as efficiently and cost-effectively as possible, focusing on practical, results-driven outcomes that offer value for your investment.

“Having been seriously let down by a leading Sussex solicitor, on advice, we turned to Coole Bevis to sort out the mess we were in. Their skill and vigour not only found a way to a successful conclusion, and out of the legal turmoil that we were in, but they reinstated our faith in justice in the English legal system.”

Recommended Lawyers

Our Dispute Resolution team is recommended in The Legal 500, underlining the high quality of advice and representation we provide.

Debt Recovery Pricing

Open pricing

Close pricing

The costs outlined below apply to business to business debts which are undisputed.

If the debt is disputed at any point, we will discuss any further work which may be required and provide you with further costs information, as necessary.

Our charges are based on an hourly rate which varies depending on the member of staff dealing with your matter. Our hourly rates range between £150 plus VAT @ 20% to £290 plus VAT @ 20% depending on the seniority of the fee earner who deals with your matter:

Partner	£290 plus VAT @ 20% per hour
Associate	£240 plus VAT @ 20% per hour
Trainee Solicitor	£150 plus VAT @ 20% per hour

In the first instance, it is necessary to send a letter before action to the debtor setting out the debt, how it has arisen and giving the debtor an opportunity to pay within a reasonable or requisite period of time.

Letter before action:

Debt Value	Our fee
Under £5,000	£150 - £300 plus VAT @ 20%
£5,001 - £10,000	£350 - £500 plus VAT @ 20%
£10,001 - £25,000	£500 - £750 plus VAT @ 20%
Over £25,000	5% of the value of the debt plus VAT @ 20%

What is included in this fee:

Taking your instructions
Reviewing relevant documents
Sending a letter of claim/ letter before action
Reviewing any response received

What is not included in this fee:

Tracing the debtor
Undertaking any relevant searches
Advising you about your claim

If the letter before action does not result in settlement of the debt, we will usually recommend that you issue Court proceedings to try to recover the sum owed together with interest and compensation, where appropriate.

Issuing Court proceedings:

We will issue Court proceedings using the Money Claim Online (MCOL) service. MCOL can only be used where the amount claimed is less than £100,000. The costs of issuing Court proceedings are in addition to our fees for the letter before action:

Debt Value	Our fee	Court fee (not subject to VAT)	Total (including VAT @ 20%)
Under £5,000	£350 - £500 plus VAT @ 20%	£35 - £205	£420 - £600 plus Court fee of £35-£205
£5,000 - £10,000	£350 - £500 plus VAT @ 20%	£455	£420 - £600 plus Court fee of £455
£10,001 - £25,000	£500 - £750 plus VAT @ 20%	5% of value of claim	£600 - £900 plus Court fee of 5% of the value of claim
Over £25,000	£1,000 - £2,500 plus VAT	5% of value of claim	£1,200 - £3,000 plus Court fee of 5% of the value of claim

Note:

The VAT element of our fee cannot be reclaimed from the debtor
VAT is not charged on Court fees
Interest and compensation may take the debt into a higher banding, with higher cost
Legal costs may not be recoverable or fully recoverable

What is included in this fee:

Preparing and issuing claim via MCOL
Applying for Judgment in default

What is not included in this fee:

Defended claims
Enforcement action
Advising you about your claim or enforcement action

Matters usually take between 3 weeks and 4 months from the date we receive instructions from you to receipt of payment from the debtor, depending on the type of debtor, and whether or not it is necessary to issue Court proceedings. This is on the basis that the debtor pays promptly on receipt of Judgment in default. If the claim is defended or enforcement action is necessary, the matter will take longer to resolve.

Contact us

If you’re facing a dispute, our experienced solicitors are here to help. Contact our team today for expert advice and support to guide you through every stage of the dispute resolution process, ensuring your interests are protected and your concerns resolved effectively.

Get in touch

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