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.
Our team can assist you across all areas of dispute resolution, including:
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.
This is the overarching benefit of engaging with the right form of alternative dispute resolution, as the costs of litigation can be substantial.
Litigation can be an emotionally draining and fraught process. ADR can potentially help to relieve you of some of that tension and worry.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Finding the right legal partner
Choose a legal partner you can trust: we’ll help protect your goals, your business and your people so you can move forward with confidence and focus on growing your business.
Clear itemised invoices, subscription plans with up to 50% discount, and fixed fee products help you plan and manage legal spend – with no nasty surprises.
We’ve supported over 8,000 businesses since 2014, with an ‘Excellent’ rating on Trustpilot and a Net Promoter Score (NPS) of 60+ from monthly client surveys.
We’re here to make things easier, not add complexity. That means fast response times, practical expert legal advice delivered in plain English, and dedicated client service and account management support.
We’re an SRA regulated firm, but more importantly, we build quality, data, and compliance best practice into everything we do.
Appointing a legal partner is a big decision. That’s why we’re open about our values, culture and model, so you can see what makes us tick. And because a productive partnership starts with understanding, we always begin with a conversation – listening to your goals, pressures and plans, then tailoring our support to fit.
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 Harper James!
Koral Ibrahim Founder & MD, The Ready House
Great customer service with experienced staff. Mark and the Harper James 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
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:
Partner and Head of Dispute Resolution
Ian joined our dispute resolution team in 2016 and has over 25 years of experience in handling a broad range of commercial disputes.
Partner - Dispute Resolution
A former partner in a leading north-west law firm, Michael is one of our business disputes partners specialising in alternative dispute resolution & litigation for complex claims.
Senior Solicitor - Dispute Resolution
Elizabeth qualified as a solicitor in 2002 and advises businesses of varying sizes on dispute evaluation and resolution by litigation, negotiation, mediation or other alternative dispute resolution process.
Senior Solicitor - Dispute Resolution
Simon is a very experienced dispute resolution solicitor and has worked in private litigation practice for over 25 years.
Partner - Dispute Resolution
Samantha qualified as a solicitor in 2003. She provides advice on a broad range business disputes in various range of sectors. She also has significant experience working with charities and trustees, and in pensions disputes. Samantha is a full member of ACTAPS and a member of the Professional Negligence Lawyers Association.
Senior Solicitor - Dispute Resolution
Mark previously worked at Freeths LLP and Nabarro (which became CMS) prior to joining Harper James. His areas of expertise include complex contractual disputes, public procurement challenges, IT/Outsourcing & reputational management
Senior Solicitor - Dispute Resolution
Barik is a senior dispute resolution solicitor with over 15 years’ experience in litigation and dispute resolution. His recent experience includes substantial and complex claims involving financial investments, tax schemes and commercial loans.
Senior Solicitor - Dispute Resolution
Natalie has developed a reputation for advising clients in relation to complex, high value and multi-jurisdictional construction and commercial disputes, with extensive experience in international arbitration, commercial and criminal litigation, investigations and white-collar crime.
Senior Solicitor - Property Disputes
James has over 10 years of experience, including previously serving as the Head of Property Litigation, and he specialises in diverse property disputes, emphasising optimal outcomes and litigation avoidance.
Senior Solicitor - Dispute Resolution
Holly has 15+ years of experience resolving shareholder, commercial debt recovery and breach of contract disputes.
Senior Solicitor - Dispute Resolution
With over 20 years’ experience, Richard advises businesses on disputes, guiding them toward practical, cost-effective outcomes through negotiation, litigation, or ADR. He partners with in-house teams and senior leaders to shape strategy and provide clear advice.
Senior Solicitor - Dispute Resolution
Liane is a Senior Solicitor in the Dispute Resolution team with over 15 years’ litigation experience. Liane assists clients with commercial disputes and contentious insolvency matters.
Paralegal - Dispute Resolution
Humera is a Paralegal in our Dispute Resolution team, supporting solicitors on a range of contentious matters from pre-action through to trial.
Senior Solicitor - Dispute Resolution
Patricia has over a decade of experience in civil and commercial litigation. She advises clients on a broad range of contentious matters, including commercial and consumer contractual disputes, professional negligence claims, data protection issues and construction disputes.
Senior Solicitor - Dispute Resolution
Anika advises businesses on a broad range of commercial disputes. Since qualifying in 2017, she has supported clients on matters including contractual disputes, debt recovery, shareholder disputes and director disputes.
Solicitor - Commercial Litigation
Japneet supports the business disputes team with the preparation, management and conduct of court proceedings. She works across a broad range of disputes, navigating complex issues and progressing matters efficiently towards resolution.
"Harper James is a one-stop shop for anything legal. It has excellent breadth, with experience on a large number of deals and multiple departments for different legal areas."
Chambers and Partners
Pricing and service plans
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:
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.
Purpose built legal support for start-ups and smaller businesses
Monthly subscription plan for £259 per month, with £174 monthly credit and access to all legal services at 50% discount on our Standard Rates.
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 33% discount on our Standard Rates.
Learn more about our service plans
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26 August 2025
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