Navigate Disagreements Without Unnecessary Escalation
Business disputes are stressful and can escalate quickly if not handled carefully. We provide measured support focused on practical outcomes rather than legal point-scoring.
Back to HomeWhat This Support Provides
When you have proper support in a business dispute, the situation feels less overwhelming. You understand your position clearly, know what options are available to you, and can communicate effectively rather than reacting emotionally or making decisions you might regret.
There's relief in having someone help you think through the situation calmly. Many disputes resolve more constructively than people expect when both parties receive proper guidance. Even when complete resolution isn't possible, you'll have a clearer understanding of your position and realistic options for moving forward.
Beyond the immediate practical help, there's value in knowing you've handled a difficult situation properly. You haven't made things worse through poor communication or hasty decisions. Whatever the outcome, you can feel confident you approached it reasonably and professionally.
Why This Situation Feels So Difficult
Perhaps you're dealing with a business partner or supplier who isn't honouring their commitments. The situation has deteriorated beyond what you can resolve through normal conversation. They're not being reasonable, and you're uncertain whether you need legal help yet or if that would just make things worse.
Or maybe there's a contractual disagreement where both parties have legitimate grievances. The relationship has become strained, communication is difficult, and you're worried about either backing down too easily or escalating to litigation that will be expensive and time-consuming for everyone involved.
These situations are genuinely stressful. You're trying to protect your business interests while not wanting to be unnecessarily aggressive. You don't know what you should do next, whether your position is reasonable, or how to communicate effectively when the other party isn't being cooperative.
What you need isn't someone who immediately pushes toward litigation. You need measured guidance from someone who understands business disputes, can help you assess your position clearly, and supports you in working toward practical resolution where possible while protecting your interests throughout.
How We Work Through This With You
We begin by understanding the situation from your perspective. What happened? What's the current state of affairs? What outcome would you consider acceptable? This initial assessment helps us see where you stand and what might be achievable given the circumstances.
Then we review any relevant documentation—contracts, correspondence, records of what was agreed. This isn't about building a legal case immediately. It's about understanding your position clearly so we can advise you properly on what options are genuinely available.
From there, we help you communicate effectively with the other party. This might mean drafting correspondence that expresses your concerns clearly without escalating the conflict. Or preparing for negotiations with a realistic understanding of what you might achieve. The approach depends on the specific situation and what seems most likely to produce a workable outcome.
Throughout this process, we're focused on practical resolution where possible. Court proceedings are expensive, time-consuming, and unpredictable. We don't recommend litigation lightly. But if matters can't be resolved informally and court action becomes necessary, we can guide you toward appropriate representation or help you understand what that process would involve.
What makes this approach effective is that it prioritises your actual interests rather than legal point-scoring. Sometimes standing on principle costs more than it's worth. Sometimes you need to hold firm on something important. We help you distinguish between the two and make informed decisions about how to proceed.
What Working Together Involves
Initial Assessment
We meet to discuss the situation thoroughly. You explain what's happened and what concerns you most. We ask questions to understand the context and review any relevant documentation you've brought. This gives us a clear picture of where things stand and what might be possible.
Position Analysis
We provide an honest assessment of your position. What are your strongest points? Where are you vulnerable? What does the other party likely see as their legitimate concerns? This realistic understanding is essential for making informed decisions about how to proceed.
Strategic Support
We help you communicate effectively, whether that's drafting correspondence, preparing for meetings with the other party, or supporting negotiation efforts. The approach is tailored to your specific situation—sometimes firm clarity is needed, sometimes a more conciliatory tone works better.
Ongoing Guidance
As the situation develops, we provide continued support. This might involve reviewing responses from the other party, advising on next steps, or helping you evaluate settlement proposals. If mediation becomes appropriate, we can help you prepare. If court proceedings become necessary, we guide you toward suitable representation.
Investment in Measured Resolution
Hourly Support
Flexible support tailored to your situation, charged in hourly increments for the guidance and work you actually need.
- ✓ Comprehensive situation assessment
- ✓ Honest evaluation of your position
- ✓ Document review and analysis
- ✓ Correspondence drafting and review
- ✓ Negotiation preparation and support
- ✓ Strategic advice on next steps
- ✓ Mediation guidance if appropriate
- ✓ Court referral support if needed
Billing approach: We keep detailed time records and provide clear invoices showing exactly what work was done. Most initial assessments take 1-2 hours. Ongoing support varies depending on the complexity and how the situation develops. We're transparent about costs throughout.
Understanding the Value
Consider what unresolved business disputes cost. There's the direct financial impact if the disagreement affects your operations or cash flow. There's the stress and time consumed dealing with something that feels beyond your capability to resolve. There's the risk of escalation that makes matters worse and more expensive to address later.
Proper guidance helps you navigate the situation effectively. We've resolved over 92% of business disputes without court proceedings, saving clients the substantial costs and uncertainty of litigation. Even when matters do proceed to court, having handled the preliminary stages properly puts you in a stronger position and demonstrates you've acted reasonably throughout.
Why This Approach Works
Extensive Experience
We've supported clients through hundreds of business disputes over 18 years of practice. This experience means we understand what approaches work in different situations, what arguments are likely to be effective, and when to push forward versus when to seek compromise. You benefit from that accumulated practical knowledge.
Resolution Focus
Our track record shows that 92% of disputes we handle are resolved without court proceedings. This isn't because we avoid necessary action—it's because measured, well-communicated positions often achieve practical outcomes where aggressive posturing fails. When litigation becomes necessary, we'll say so clearly, but it's genuinely a last resort rather than an early recommendation.
Realistic Timeframes
Simple disputes might resolve within weeks if both parties engage constructively. Complex commercial disagreements can take months to work through properly. We give you honest expectations about timeframes based on the specific circumstances. Resolution takes as long as it takes, but you'll understand where matters stand throughout the process.
Measured Progress
At each stage, you understand what's happening and why we're recommending particular approaches. After initial assessment, you know your position clearly. As negotiations develop, you can evaluate proposals with realistic understanding of alternatives. Even if complete resolution proves impossible, you'll have clarity about your options for moving forward.
Your Interests Come First
Business disputes are stressful enough without worrying whether your legal support is making things worse or running up unnecessary costs. We're committed to practical, measured guidance that serves your actual interests.
Your initial consultation is straightforward—we discuss your situation, provide honest assessment, and explain what support might be helpful. There's no pressure to engage us, and we're candid if we think you might be better served handling matters differently.
Honest Assessment
We tell you if your position is weak or if pursuing something will likely cost more than it's worth. Sometimes the best advice is to compromise or walk away. We provide that guidance when appropriate.
Cost Transparency
You know exactly what our hourly rate is, and we provide regular updates on time spent. There are no surprise fees or unexpected charges appearing later.
Professional Standards
We're members of the Law Society of Scotland, maintain professional indemnity insurance, and operate within established ethical guidelines for dispute resolution work.
How to Get Proper Support
Getting started is straightforward. Contact us through the form below or by phone, briefly explaining the nature of your dispute. We arrange a time for you to visit our Castle Street office to discuss the situation properly.
At that meeting, you explain what's happened and what concerns you most. We review any relevant documentation and provide honest assessment of your position. You'll understand what options are available and what support might be helpful. If we think you'd benefit from our involvement, we explain what that would involve and what it would likely cost.
Most people find relief in having this conversation. The situation feels less overwhelming when someone helps you think it through clearly. Even if you ultimately decide to handle matters yourself, you'll have better understanding of your position and realistic options for moving forward.
Steps Forward
Reach Out
Contact us about your dispute. We typically respond within one working day to arrange an initial assessment meeting.
Discuss the Situation
At our office, we talk through what's happened and review relevant documentation. This takes 1-2 hours and gives us clear understanding of your position.
Receive Honest Assessment
We provide candid evaluation of your position, explain your options, and discuss what support would be helpful. You decide whether to engage us for ongoing assistance.
Work Toward Resolution
If you choose to proceed, we provide ongoing support tailored to how the situation develops. Our focus remains on achieving practical outcomes rather than unnecessary escalation.
Let's Discuss Your Situation
Business disputes feel less overwhelming when you have proper support. We'll provide honest assessment and help you understand your options clearly.
Arrange Your ConsultationTypical response time: Within one working day during December 2024 and January 2025
Other Ways We Can Help
Depending on what you're dealing with, one of our other services might be relevant to your circumstances.
Will Preparation
If you're a business owner dealing with disputes, having a properly prepared will becomes particularly important. We can guide you through creating a will that addresses both personal matters and business interests appropriately.
Business Formation Advisory
When disputes arise, they sometimes reveal that business structures weren't set up optimally. If you're starting something new or restructuring, we can help you establish proper foundations that prevent future complications.