Litigation & Dispute Resolution for Individuals

Litigation is needed when negotiation, mediation, or arbitration fails, or when urgent court orders such as injunctions are required. Acting quickly can protect your assets, rights, or reputation.

We specialise in complex, high-value disputes: shareholder conflicts, cross-border litigation, banking and financial disputes, energy and mining matters, international arbitration, and defamation/online reputation cases.

Timelines vary. Simple disputes may finish in months, but complex, high-value cases can take 12–24 months or longer. We work to manage proceedings efficiently and minimise delay.

The cost of litigation depends on multiple varying factors. These include the type of case (commercial, shareholder, defamation, or cross-border), the complexity of the legal issues, and the evidence required.

Straightforward cases with limited documents and legal arguments may be resolved at a relatively modest cost. In contrast, complex disputes with multiple witnesses, extensive disclosure, or expert evidence will inevitably be more expensive.

At Nath Solicitors, we provide clients with clear cost estimates at the outset. We break down projected costs for each stage and try and tell clients at the outset so that they can prepare their budget.

• Pre-action stage (Letter Before Claim, without prejudice negotiations)
• Issuing proceedings
• Disclosure of documents
• Witness statements
• Interim hearings
• Trial preparation
• Trial

This stage-by-stage approach gives clients clarity and control. Costs are reviewed and updated regularly, so there are no hidden surprises.

The conduct of the other party also affects costs. A cooperative opponent may reduce expense through early settlement, while a hostile or obstructive party may increase costs with unnecessary applications. In many cases, mediation or negotiation can significantly reduce overall expenditure.

It is also important to consider the “loser pays” rule in England and Wales. Generally, the losing party is ordered to pay a proportion of the winner’s costs (often 60–80%). While this can help offset your outlay, recovery is never 100%.

Ultimately, litigation costs are best managed through transparency, planning, and strategy. WE can help you do this.

Yes. Many disputes settle before trial, saving clients significant time and costs. Our lawyers are skilled negotiators who secure favourable settlements whenever possible.

Nath Solicitors regularly handles international disputes and works with trusted foreign counsel. We assess jurisdiction, enforceability, and litigation strategy to give clients the strongest possible position.

Yes, in England and Wales you can start a case in court without a solicitor. In simple matters, such as small claims under £10,000, the court process is designed to be accessible. Forms are straightforward, hearings are informal, and legal costs are limited.

However, more complex disputes are very different. Cases involving shareholder conflicts, defamation, professional negligence, or commercial contracts must comply strictly with the Civil Procedure Rules (CPR). They require detailed assessment of merits and if the case is strong then potential legal action including pleadings, careful preparation of evidence, and often expert evidence. Missing a procedural step or deadline can lead to a claim being struck out or significant costs being awarded against you.

Many people begin proceedings themselves and realise the consequences when it is too late. Disclosure of documents, interim applications, or costs hearings can quickly become highly technical. At Nath Solicitors, we are seeing an increase in cases being conducted by litigants in person in often complex cases in the High Court; the usual scenario is that they have issued legal action, often without awareness of the risks, and ended up disadvantaged by procedural mistakes or a bad case which should never have started. By that stage, legal and financial damage can already be substantial. In one case, a litigant had a costs order made against her in defamation that was more than £50,000.00. That amount for an individual put that person’s home at risk.

The reality is that litigation is not just about filing forms. It is about expertise and strategy gained over decades. While you can technically represent yourself, doing so in a high-value or reputation-critical dispute carries real risks.

With over 30 years of litigation experience, Nath Solicitors ensures that claims are properly framed, costs are controlled, and the strongest possible case is advanced from the outset.

The first step in resolving any dispute is a merits assessment of the case. At Nath Solicitors, we review your documents, facts, and evidence to give you the strongest strategy from the outset.

1. Letter Before Claim: This formal letter sets out your case under the Civil Procedure Rules. It shows you are serious, defines the issues, and often prompts an early response.
2. Without Prejudice Correspondence: Confidential negotiations allow both sides to discuss settlement options freely without weakening their case in court.
3. Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR): This can be by way of mediation, arbitration, or expert determination are often faster and more cost-effective than trial. Mediation in particular can preserve business or shareholder relationships.
4. Litigation: If settlement fails, litigation may be necessary. With strong preparation, we protect your rights, assets, or reputation.

Most disputes can be resolved without the need for legal action.   We combine robust preparation with skilled negotiation, to maximise your chances of a cost-effective and favourable outcome.

The time it takes to resolve a dispute depends on the complexity of the issues, the remedies sought, and the approach of the parties. Some disputes can be resolved quickly through negotiation or mediation, but once a case enters the courts of England and Wales, the average timeframe is 12 to 18 months from issue of proceedings to trial.

This is because litigation follows a structured process under the Civil Procedure Rules (CPR). Typical and has different stages including those before legal action starts and those after.  

In practice, delays can occur. Factors include court timetabling pressures, contested interim applications, or challenges to expert evidence. In high-value commercial disputes, it is not unusual for a trial to be listed more than a year after proceedings begin.

However, many disputes settle earlier. Mediation, arbitration, or without prejudice negotiation can resolve matters within months, saving both time and cost. As experienced litigators, we prepare every case as if it will go to trial, while constantly evaluating opportunities for earlier settlement.

This balanced approach ensures clients are protected, timelines are managed, and outcomes are achieved efficiently.

Once litigation has begun in the courts of England and Wales, stopping the case mid-way is not as simple as walking away. The process is governed by the Civil Procedure Rules (CPR), and the key point is that if you discontinue, you will usually be ordered to pay the other side’s legal costs up to that stage, in addition to your own. This is why discontinuance is always a serious financial decision.

There are three main routes if you wish to end your case part-way through:

1. Discontinuance: you file a formal Notice of Discontinuance. Unless the court orders otherwise, you remain liable for the other party’s costs.
2. Settlement: you reach an agreement with your opponent, often formalised in a Tomlin Order. This allows you to control how costs are dealt with and ensures the dispute is concluded on agreed terms.
3. Court order: in some situations, especially once trial preparations are advanced, the court’s permission is required to discontinue. The judge will usually still order you to pay the opponent’s costs.

Stopping a case also has strategic consequences. Opponents may view withdrawal as a sign of weakness, and in some cases, you may not be able to bring the same claim again. It is therefore essential to consider alternatives such as mediation or without prejudice negotiations before abandoning proceedings.