Dispute resolution

Experienced, commercially focused advice and clear guidance to protect you and your business.

Effective dispute resolutions

Commercial disputes can harm your productivity and reputation while causing stress, making it crucial to make informed decisions in their resolution. We’re well-regarded for managing complex, high-value commercial disputes, including contract litigation, professional negligence, and shareholder claims.

Clarity and reassurance

When you’re facing pressure and complexity, you need clear commercial advice that’s both strategic and pragmatic, which is exactly what we offer. We provide direct, practical guidance that’s easy to understand and implement, ensuring you know what’s needed at each stage to resolve your dispute effectively while staying fully informed on costs.

A resourceful approach

We’ve resolved disputes for a diverse range of clients, both nationally and internationally, including PLCs, SMEs, and owner-managed businesses. With expertise in handling challenging, unpredictable, and precedent-setting cases, our team will confidently push boundaries and explore resourceful alternatives to court proceedings when appropriate.

We build the right team for you

To form your partner-led team and address your specific needs, we bring together complementary expertise from across the firm. This collaboration ensures you receive experienced, specialist guidance for every aspect of your business-critical case. Whether it’s a commercial contract dispute, intellectual property infringement or reputational damage, our award-winning team can work with you to deal with it.

What our clients say

“Schofield Sweeney are on the end of the phone and act immediately when we need them which is vital for our business.” Richard Thewlis Huddersfield Giants

“The team is quick thinking and prepared to give practical and logical advice on potential solutions, showing initiative and good, straight-forward communication. Overall, a first-class firm to deal with.” Legal 500

“Knowledgeable and a pleasure to work with.” Chambers and Partners

“From training, contract development and environmental defence to litigation the team have quickly and competently helped us in all areas.” Legal 500

Dispute resolution team of the year Yorkshire Legal Awards 2020

“Commercial litigation at Schofield Sweeney is of a market leading quality.” Legal 500

“This practice is unique, they really do care about clients.” Legal 500

“The team has a superb amount of breadth and depth and all the lawyers are fabulous in their approach, with outstanding knowledge.” Chambers and Partners

What areas do we cover?

Breaches of director’s duties and breach of trust
Commercial fraud
Intellectual property infringement
Shareholder and partnership disputes

Contract disputes
Insolvency litigation
Professional negligence actions
Social media – protecting reputations online

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Property litigation

Experienced, practical advice

Legal issues involving property are often incredibly complicated and influenced by a variety of factors. We have a thorough understanding of the market and are experienced in handling the most complex of cases. We’ll help to relieve your concerns and provide clear, practical guidance and support when you need it most.

Achieving the best results, quickly

If you’re involved in a property dispute, our focus is on achieving the best outcome for you at the earliest possible opportunity. We’re known for being excellent negotiators and have extensive experience of all forms of alternative dispute resolution, as well as formal court proceedings.

Expert support, whatever the issue

We act for a wide variety of clients, including commercial landlords, corporate occupiers, developers, landowners, small businesses and local authorities, as well as individuals. We also work closely with property professionals such as agents, valuers and surveyors to ensure you have expert advice on all aspects of property management.

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Post Office Horizon scandal

Legal expertise for Post Office Horizon IT scandal victims

The Post Office Horizon IT scandal has impacted lives and livelihoods nationwide. Many innocent people have endured financial ruin, reputational damage, and immense emotional distress.

Compensation schemes are available to former or current postmasters who have suffered financial loss due to Horizon and also for postmasters or employees who were wrongly convicted. We provide legal expertise and experience to help the victims navigate this complex process.

We can advise you on:

Horizon Shortfall Scheme (“HSS”)
This scheme compensates current and former Postmasters who were not criminally convicted but have suffered shortfalls and other financial losses due to the Horizon system.

Using our many years of experience and involvement in pursuing Horizon IT claims we have secured several millions of pounds of compensation for applicants around the UK.

If you are a current or former sub-postmaster that suffered shortfalls and have not yet applied, get in touch and we’ll discuss how we can help.

Horizon Convictions Redress Scheme (“HCRS”)
On 30 July 2024, the UK government announced the launch of the Horizon Convictions Redress Scheme (HCRS), delivered by the Department for Business and Trade (“DBT”). The scheme provides financial redress to Sub-Postmasters and Post Office workers who had their convictions quashed by legislation in the Westminster or Scottish Parliament.

If you are eligible to submit a claim under the HCRS, the DBT strongly advises that you instruct a lawyer to help with the application process. We are on the DBT list of lawyers. We will not charge you for your claim.

Have you received a Letter from The Ministry of Justice?

Many people have already received a letter from the Ministry of Justice (“MOJ”) confirming that their conviction has been quashed and removed from the court and police records. The letter confirms that they are eligible to apply for compensation under the HCRS.

Contact us to start the application process. We will quickly arrange payment of your initial interim £200k compensation payment into your bank account and evaluate whether you should accept a fixed final compensation of £600k or evaluate and secure your claim at a higher sum.

If you haven’t received a Letter from the MOJ?

There are still hundreds more previously convicted Sub-Postmasters and Post Office workers who have not received the MOJ letter. If you haven’t received a letter, don’t worry. It doesn’t necessarily mean that your conviction has not been quashed or that you are ineligible to apply for the HCRS.

Get in touch with us today to discuss your options and how we can assist in registering and supporting your claim for compensation.

Stephen Lewis
Stephenlewis@schofieldsweeney.co.uk
0300 123 0406