Real cases. Real problems. Practical solutions.

An established trading business engaged an external company to undertake important administrative work connected with its commercial operations. The service provider failed to carry out its responsibilities properly, with serious financial consequences. The business had incurred substantial duties which it was unable to recover because of the administrative failures.

We examined the contractual arrangements, identified the obligations which had not been performed and assessed the financial losses arising from those failures. We then pursued the service provider, focusing on the connection between its contractual responsibilities and the losses suffered by the business.

A proposed acquisition involving six interconnected companies raised a number of difficult commercial and legal questions. The transaction involved several shareholders, existing liabilities, deferred payments, directors leaving the businesses and the need to protect the interests of both purchaser and sellers.

We worked on the transaction structure and documentation, including the share purchase arrangements, warranties, disclosures, responsibility for historic liabilities and security for deferred consideration.

A substantial importing business discovered that its name, company stamp and purported signatures had been used in connection with overseas purchase orders which it had never authorised. The documents related to transactions apparently worth more than one million US dollars.

We examined the purchase orders, contracts and correspondence, identified inconsistencies and prepared a detailed report setting out the evidence of suspected corporate impersonation and unauthorised trading.

A longstanding trading company faced substantial creditor pressure, tax liabilities and cash-flow difficulties despite having an established customer base and continuing business operations.

We examined the company’s financial and commercial position, its relationships with major creditors, negotiations with HMRC and possible restructuring options, including a Company Voluntary Arrangement and a statutory moratorium.

An established commercial business faced demands from an energy supplier despite evidence that bills had been calculated using incorrect estimated meter readings and that substantial credits were due.

We examined the billing records, actual meter readings, payments, account adjustments and correspondence acknowledging credits. We challenged the supplier’s calculations and developed a defence requiring proper reconciliation of the accounts.

The owner of an apartment in a substantial residential development faced serious difficulties involving roof leaks, water penetration, cladding concerns and disputes with the management company.

The property had become difficult to sell, leaving the owner exposed to continuing costs and uncertainty.

We examined the legal and practical difficulties, including repair obligations, insurance, service charges and the disclosure requirements associated with selling a property affected by defects.

Several apartment owners in one converted listed building experienced severe noise and structural vibration from the flats above. This example concerns that shared, building-wide problem; the separate claim brought by an individual purchaser against a developer is described at example 12.

Despite building-control approvals and previous acoustic testing, the disturbance was substantial, and responsibility for investigating and remedying the defects remained disputed between the owners and the management company.

We examined specialist acoustic evidence, the leases, building warranty, developer’s responsibilities and the obligations of the management company.

The owner of a valuable leasehold apartment experienced persistent water ingress and difficulties involving the building’s management company, insurers and contractors.

We examined the repairing obligations, insurance arrangements, management responsibilities and the remedies available through the First-tier Tribunal.

We represent clients who acquired a residential apartment for £750,000, built within an existing preserved listed building.

Building regulation approval in relation to noise had been obtained. Despite that, the apartment is experiencing serious noise problems from the apartment above.

The matter is being tackled in a claim against the developer and the developer’s insurer, and an application is about to be made to the First-tier Tribunal Property Chamber.

An established wholesale business faced difficult employment issues involving employees absent through illness, uncertainty about their ability to return to work and the need to maintain business operations.

We assisted management in considering the employees’ contractual and statutory rights, the need for medical evidence, appropriate consultation, reasonable adjustments where applicable and the procedures required before decisions about continued employment could properly be made.

A substantial trading business encountered recurring employment issues involving sickness absence, performance, workplace conduct and disagreements between management and staff.

We assisted management in identifying appropriate procedures, considering disciplinary and grievance matters and preparing communications intended to resolve difficulties before they escalated.