SERVICES
FOR INDIVIDUALS
DISPUTE RESOLUTION SOLICITORS IN HENLEY & READING
Consumer Claims
Almost any purchase from a business by an individual that involves goods or services in the UK are covered under the Consumer Rights Act 2015. This Act does not apply to private sales or services between individuals however you can still pursue the matter via the small claims court.
The majority of the consumer claims settle out of court through negotiation. With any dispute it is important to get guidance and be clear about your consumer rights and your options before formal court action.
We would always encourage you to try to negotiate a settlement with the other party first, for example through mediation, as the Court will expect you to have acted ‘reasonably’, by exchanging information and documents about the dispute, and generally trying to avoid the need for making a claim. We can write a ‘letter before action’ to the other party, formally documenting the dispute, giving a deadline for resolution and including a warning that you will issue a court claim if they do not meet this deadline.
If you decide to go to court and the person you are suing defends your claim, you may need witnesses to help tell the court what happened and must pay their expenses. You may also need to pay for a report from an expert, for example, a mechanic or surveyor. If you win, you can expect the court to order the unsuccessful party to pay a contribution towards your costs and your legal fees.
For more information please contact Laura Colebrook, Dispute Resolution and Litigation Solicitor.
Landlord & Tenant Disputes
As a landlord, you may feel that your property and your livelihood is at risk. As a tenant, you might feel that your home is under threat or is not up to standard.
If you are a landlord, we can help enforce the terms of your lease, take effective action against tenants who are in breach of the terms of their tenancy and can assist you in recovering unpaid rent. You cannot remove a tenant from residential accommodation without first obtaining a court order for possession. The process is complicated – we can advise on what you can do, how you can do it and the quickest and most cost effective route.
If you are a tenant, we can make sure your landlord carries out their obligations, including any necessary repairs to the property. If the landlord refuses, we can take action.
We endeavour to resolve disputes through negotiation or mediation, resorting to Court action as a last resort, always pursuing the most appropriate method based on the context of matter.
Boundary Disputes
Boundary disputes are caused when two parties both believe they have the right to a piece of land. They can cause immense animosity and stress to residential homeowners, can escalate quickly and can affect the value of your property if you wish to sell. Therefore, is advisable to try and seek resolution as quickly as possible.
There are a number of different types of dispute that can arise including:
We are experienced in handling all types of boundary disputes cases and claims and can act quickly to protect your interests. We try to resolve matters amicably through negotiation and mediation to achieve an out of court settlement and maintain relations with your neighbours.
Where this is not possible, we handle property cases involving boundary disputes in the Courts and can take appropriate action can be taken, including preventing financial loss if the value of a property or piece of land would be diminished by a boundary being moved.
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