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Business Legal Services
Alternative Dispute Resolution
Settle commercial disputes out of court with cost-effective guidance and expert negotiation from specialist ADR solicitors.
Our ADR solicitors place a premium on helping clients settle business disputes in the most discreet and efficient way possible. Take advantage of the knowledge of our capable team – we have the experience to effectively negotiate for your business, avoiding the commercial risk of litigation where possible while helping you maintain key commercial relationships.
Experts in alternative dispute resolution
Our team can assist you across all areas of dispute resolution, including:
Commercially focused and pragmatic strategies from expert ADR solicitors
Our team of alternative dispute resolution solicitors can help you decide if any of the following options are right for your business:
Negotiation: Straightforward discussions to encourage an early resolution
We’ll draft correspondence, take the lead on negotiating terms of settlement, and strategically manage the entire process so that you reduce risk and get an early resolution, avoiding the need for court action. Whatever is said as part of negotiations cannot later be used in court.
Adjudication: A quick resolution for disputes that are impeding live projects
Commonly used to resolve disputes in the construction industry, adjudication will allow you to find a quick solution to contractual issues that are disrupting an ongoing development. With a binding decision from the adjudicator within 28 days, this will enable you to continue work without the distraction of the dispute. Please note, the decision may be later challenged through arbitration or court proceedings.
Mediation: Confidential negotiations lead by an independent expert
Voluntary commercial mediation allows the parties in dispute to discuss issues before an independent mediator to help you successfully negotiate a settlement. The flexibility and private nature of mediation will help you reach an agreement without publicising commercially sensitive information.
Early Neutral Evaluation: An incentive to settle before litigation
An independent expert will make an objective assessment of the strengths and weaknesses of each side’s case. This will give you a realistic idea of how you may fare in litigation, encouraging a swift settlement before you reach that stage in the process.
Expert Determination: An ADR mechanism for more technical matters
This form of alternative dispute resolution is useful when the dispute centres on a highly technical issue such as a market valuation of a particular type of property. An independent expert reaches a decision on the issue and this is binding on the parties.
And if these alternative dispute resolution techniques aren’t suitable for your business dispute, or an agreement can’t be reached through these methods? You can rely on our arbitration services.
What are the benefits of engaging with alternative dispute resolution?
More cost effective than litigation
This is the overarching benefit of engaging with the right form of alternative dispute resolution, as the costs of litigation can be substantial.
Avoids the stress and upheaval of going to court
Litigation can be an emotionally draining and fraught process. ADR can potentially help to relieve you of some of that tension and worry.
Usually required by the court
Should the situation be incapable of resolution by ADR, the court will generally require proof that the parties have at least attempted to engage in ADR before one party is permitted to commence litigation.
Maintains commercial relationships
There is generally a better chance that your relationship with the other party can return to a more harmonious footing once the ADR has been satisfactorily concluded.
Confidential solutions
Confidentiality is a crucial part of alternative dispute resolution, which means that you don’t have to worry about sensitive details of your dispute finding their way into the wrong hands.
Who we help
We assist a wide range of UK-based companies of all sizes, and across a vast array of sectors. Examples include retail, manufacturing, technology and the public sector. Our aim is to make business legal services more accessible for growing businesses who may feel priced out of quality legal support. As entrepreneurial thinkers, we know all too well the need for legal guidance in order to progress. So we offer an integrated service with our legal subscription plans, so that you can get the support you need to succeed.
Testimonials
What our clients say
Over the years Harper James have helped us navigate complex legal issues and red tape, providing distilled options and legal consultancy that far exceeds the service levels we’ve previously experienced from more traditional law firms. The team act like our own in-house counsel so, regardless of which lawyer we work with, we feel supported and that they truly have our best interests at heart.
Michael Edwards
Co-Founder,
Inspire Group
Harper James has provided us with a highly responsive and pragmatic dispute resolution service which has been efficient and very cost effective in resolving recent disputes.
Alex Sloley
CFO,
Triptease
As with any business, we need access to good quality legal advice without the fear of facing huge legal fees. The service provided by Harper James is ideal because they are always available to assist and we know that the advice provided is of outstanding quality, with pricing that is cost effective and completely transparent.
Laura Bowen
Director,
Admedo
Harper James is a brilliant example of a company disrupting a traditional industry. Suddenly Solicitors become relevant and accessible for start-ups & small enterprises, with the best in-class knowledge of all major legal areas. I’ve used the business now for a year, and the Enable plan has been perfect for budgeting my company’s outgoings, and has given me a piece of mind when tackling key, decisive issues. Thank-you HJS!
Koral Ibrahim
Founder & MD,
The Ready House
Great customer service with experienced staff. Mark and the HJS team worked well with us and took the stress out of a situation. Advised us proactively to achieve the the best outcome for our situation.
Paul Smith
COO,
Incuto
Supportive and straight talking. A pleasure to work with Mark and the team.
Laura Crawford
CEO & Founder,
Mama Bamboo
Over the years Harper James have helped us navigate complex legal issues and red tape, providing distilled options and legal consultancy that far exceeds the service levels we’ve previously experienced from more traditional law firms. The team act like our own in-house counsel so, regardless of which lawyer we work with, we feel supported and that they truly have our best interests at heart.
Michael Edwards
Co-Founder,
Inspire Group
Harper James has provided us with a highly responsive and pragmatic dispute resolution service which has been efficient and very cost effective in resolving recent disputes.
Alex Sloley
CFO,
Triptease
As with any business, we need access to good quality legal advice without the fear of facing huge legal fees. The service provided by Harper James is ideal because they are always available to assist and we know that the advice provided is of outstanding quality, with pricing that is cost effective and completely transparent.
Laura Bowen
Director,
Admedo
Harper James is a brilliant example of a company disrupting a traditional industry. Suddenly Solicitors become relevant and accessible for start-ups & small enterprises, with the best in-class knowledge of all major legal areas. I’ve used the business now for a year, and the Enable plan has been perfect for budgeting my company’s outgoings, and has given me a piece of mind when tackling key, decisive issues. Thank-you HJS!
Koral Ibrahim
Founder & MD,
The Ready House
Great customer service with experienced staff. Mark and the HJS team worked well with us and took the stress out of a situation. Advised us proactively to achieve the the best outcome for our situation.
Paul Smith
COO,
Incuto
Supportive and straight talking. A pleasure to work with Mark and the team.
Laura Crawford
CEO & Founder,
Mama Bamboo
Why use our alternative dispute resolution solicitors?
Our specialist ADR solicitors have amassed a wealth of industry-specific know-how in their multiple years of experience, in Top 100 law firms in the UK and in-house for international corporations. Our approach is all-encompassing: we advise you on the appropriate alternative dispute resolution options available, and work with you in developing the right strategy to resolve your dispute.
Find out more about our ADR solicitors here:
Pricing and service plans
Legal support designed
to fit your business needs
Our three transparent service plans are designed to give you the widest possible access to high-quality legal advice, whatever the size and nature of your business:
Engage
Flexible access to senior solicitors at highly competitive rates
An alternative to our subscription plans, offering access to full service legal expertise on a project-by-project basis.
Enable
Purpose built legal support for start-ups and smaller businesses
Monthly subscription plan for £219 per month, with £149 monthly credit and access to all legal services at 50% discount on our Standard Rates.
Extend
Comprehensive legal partnership for established businesses
Fully account managed and scalable annual subscription plan with support from a curated team of partners and senior solicitors, with up to 36% discount on our Standard Rates.