Building dispute solicitors Brighton and hove

The way you resolve a building dispute varies depending on the specifics of your case and what you look to achieve. Some businesses simply want the conflict to be defused. Whereas, other companies may want to take a more ruthless approach and want to be reimbursed or enforce punitive measures on the other side.

Every matter is different, and you will need to weigh up what’s important to you and your business before taking action.

Our solicitors will always advise you to seek legal advice when involved in a building dispute. Even if you are confident in what you want you to achieve, it’s essential to understand your options and the risks involved.

Each case is different, which is why we offer an untimed time initial consultation priced at £108 including VAT at which stage your solicitor will provide an estimate for:

• How long they expect it will take to achieve your desired outcome
• How much you can expect to pay
• The work that is involved, for example, drafting and sending a letter before action, going through mediation or filing the case at court

Should you choose to instruct our firm, we will write to you confirming our fee estimate.

If your case needs to be referred to a court, there may be additional administration fees (printing, bundle assembly and postage), as well as any relevant court fees payable to the court.

If a matter is settled after a letter before action is sent, it may cost as little as £400 plus VAT. However, a dispute that proceeds to court could charge over £10,000 plus VAT.

The time frame will entirely depend on the type and complexity of the building dispute. To get an accurate estimate of the time frame of your case, you will need to have a consultation with one of our specialist building dispute solicitors.

A straightforward commercial building dispute that settles in the early stages can be resolved in as little as 1 to 2 weeks.

A complex building dispute with many facets could take 12 months or more to remedy.

Depending on your matter, a typical case would involve:

1. Initial consultation to understand your matter
2. Review of the terms and conditions of the contract
3. Advising on the contract, the breaches, your dispute and evidence needed regarding your claim
4. Drafting and sending a letter before action to the other side outlining your claim and position
5. Dealing with the response, if any
6. Drafting and finalising your particulars of claim
7. Issuing your claim at the court
8. Dealing with the defence from the other side
9. Progressing through the standard litigation court process
10. Settling the claim out of court or going to trial if no settlement can be reached
11. Enforcing the judgement if it’s in your favour or appealing any decision if unsuccessful, if there is reason to believe this would be successful

Not every case will go through all of these stages. Many cases will be resolved after stage 4 if the evidence is compelling, and the breach is clear.