Dispute Resolution

Dispute Resolution

Disputes are a fact of life. We provide an efficient, solution-focused service to match our clients’ litigation needs – commercial and private. Our experience covers work in the Supreme Court, Court of Appeal, High Court and the lower courts as well as Alternative Dispute Resolution procedures. The firm’s proximity to the Law Courts means that we can respond rapidly to matters requiring urgent attention, such as injunctions and other applications for interim relief and/or enforcement.

Much of our work concerns complex, high-value cross-border

and multi-jurisdictional disputes for UK and overseas clients.

Where appropriate, we act as lead or co-ordinating counsel in

co-operation with an extensive international network of trusted

legal and other professional advisers. Our team has achieved

outstanding results for our clients not only in the UK but also

throughout Europe and other international jurisdictions.

We act for those bringing or defending claims and offer various

funding arrangements (including, where appropriate, conditional

fees). Litigation can be a destructive process: prevention is better

than cure. We can assist in resolving a dispute before it ever

reaches court. We advise on alternative approaches to dispute

resolution, and our experienced mediators help settle disputes.

Commercial Property and Building Disputes We have extensive expertise and experience acting for a wide range of clients including individuals, businesses, banks and other institutions, Trustees, charities and landowners.

Work undertaken includes the following:

• Disputes over construction and engineering projects• Lease renewals and extensions and rent reviews • Boundary and other neighbour disputes • Service charge disputes • Possession claims (commercial and residential)• Issues over Restrictive Covenants • Disputes over Dilapidations • Claims over rent arrears or other breaches of covenant• Claims for adverse possession

We always aim to provide a rapid, cost effective solution. Often this will involve Alternative Dispute Resolution, either by negotiation or Mediation. Where there is no alternative to litigation, we are resolute in our determination to pursue the best possible client outcome.

Private Property and Building Disputes Our team has extensive expertise in resolving disputes in the following:

• Applications to vary the terms of a settlement • Claims against Trustees • Disputes arising out of lifetime gifts • Claims over entitlement to a grant of representation to the estate • Claims relating to the validity of a Will • Actions against Personal Representatives • Disappointed beneficiary claims including claims for financial provision from the Estate under the Inheritance (Provision for Family & Dependants) Act 1975 • Court of Protection work

We respond rapidly and effectively. Always mindful to minimise legal fees, we propose Alternative Dispute Resolution, where appropriate, which can sometimes be mitigated by alternative funding arrangements. We are members of the Association of Contentious Trust & Probate Solicitors.

Intellectual Property

We offer a wide range of dispute resolution services in relation to the protection and enforcement of intellectual property and related rights including: -

• Brand protection and anti-counterfeiting• Trade mark infringement and passing off• Oppositions and cancellations• Domain name and UDRP dispute resolution• Copyright• Design rights• Image rights• Merchandising and product endorsement

Our work covers a wide range of industry sectors and client profiles, from award-winning up-and-coming young designers, multi-national companies and fashion houses, to world-leading academic institutions.

Insolvency

Our team is experienced in all areas of personal and corporate insolvency and have established strong relations with most of the leading insolvency practitioners and recovery advisors throughout the UK. We are therefore well placed to advise clients on a wide range of issues including: -

• Bankruptcy proceedings• Administration and receivership• Liquidation• Individual and company voluntary arrangements• Directors’ duties• Creditors’ actions• Wrongful trading• Cross-border insolvency

Hunters Solicitors, 9 New Square, Lincoln’s Inn, London WC2A 3QN

+44 (0)20 7412 0050

www.hunters-solicitors.co.uk

Charities, Religious Orders, Care Homes and Education We provide a comprehensive range of expert advice and services covering all legal aspects involving dispute resolution for charities, religious orders, care homes and education institutions guiding you through all aspects of any proposed collaborative working with another charity, a merger or dissolution.We often help charities and other not for profit organisations that work with, or come into contact with, children or other vulnerable people maintain clear, effective and robust safeguarding practices and procedures. Hunters handles and resolves claims brought against charity trustees or challenging public decisions affecting your charity in a cost effective way to achieve the best outcome possible. The firm has strong links with the Charity Commission, the Privy Council and other regulators. We are also proud to act for numerous clubs, societies, institutions and not for profit organisations.

Arbitration, Mediation and Alternative Dispute Resolution

We advocate all forms of alternative dispute resolution for our clients which we believe have a firm place in the dispute resolution landscape and merit consideration in all circumstances. Arbitration has long been and continues to be regarded as the preferred method for resolving international commercial disputes. Our lawyers are familiar with practically all of the leading international, regional and national arbitral institutions, such as the ICC, LCIA, ICC, AAA and DIS. We are equally experienced with organising and conducting ad hoc arbitration proceedings, whether under the UNCITRAL arbitration rules or national arbitration laws. We advise and represent clients in all aspects of arbitration, from the drafting of arbitration agreements to representation in arbitration proceedings world-wide. Our lawyers also have experience of sitting as arbitrators and accept appointments through leading UK and international arbitration and mediation institutions as well as independently. Mediation has proven to be a fast and effective means of avoiding lengthy and costly litigation proceedings and of achieving results in an astonishing number of even the most complex and intractable cases. Mediation will frequently form part of the litigation and arbitration process but there is no need for pending formal proceedings for a mediation to take place. We will advise you when mediation is appropriate and an effective weapon in your armoury – and when it is not. We work with the leading ADR institutions but have also organised and conducted independent mediations. Some of our lawyers are accredited mediators with organisations such as ADR Group and Art Resolve and accept appointments to act as mediator nationally and internationally.

Art and Collectibles

Our specialist team of lawyers share our clients’ passion for art and apply our legal experience and expertise in this area when acting for private, corporate, professional and institutional clients both in the UK and overseas. Our services include resolving disputes in relation to: -

• Art recovery• Ownership and provenance• Restitution and historical claims• Authenticity and attribution• Fakes and forgeries• Fraud and money laundering• Regulatory• Insurance coverage and recovery• Illegal export and import• Repatriation of human remains• Treasure finds