Practice / Disputes & litigation
Disputes & litigation
Most disputes end in an agreement. Our job is to get you there on the best terms, and to be ready for court if the other side will not move.
Scope of work
Commercial disputes
Contract claims, unpaid debts, partnership and shareholder disputes.
Mediation and negotiation
Preparing the case for settlement as seriously as for trial, so the offer on the table is a real one.
Litigation and arbitration
Court proceedings and arbitration in the UK, with trusted counsel when a hearing needs a barrister.
Urgent relief
Injunctions to protect confidential information, property and money, sometimes within a day.
Recent matters
- 2026 Shareholder dispute in a software company, two founders against an investor Settled at mediation £6.2m
- 2024 Injunction to recover confidential designs taken by a former distributor Granted within 36 hours Urgent
Partner responsible
Questions clients ask
Will you tell us if our case is weak?
Yes, in the first meeting and in writing. A clear view of the odds is the most useful thing we give you.
What does litigation cost?
We give a budget for each stage, from the first letter to trial, and report against it every month.
How quickly can you act?
For urgent applications, the same day. Call the London office and ask for the duty partner.
In witness whereof, let's talk.
A first meeting is forty-five minutes, costs nothing and ends with a straight answer: whether you need a lawyer, and if you do, what it should cost.
Signed for and on behalf of Ashby & Thorne LLP
Helena Ashby
Helena Ashby, Managing partner
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