Cripps Harries Hall

Disputes

Sometimes disputes are unavoidable, but with the right legal advice the expense and uncertainties of going to court can often be avoided.

Accidents happen. Professional advice may be substandard. People can let you down. Neighbours quarrel. There may be a dispute over a will. You may be out of pocket and want to bring a claim. Or someone may be claiming against you.

What we do

We have specialists in areas where you are likely to need help:

  • Contract problems
  • Personal injury
  • Professional negligence
  • Property disputes
  • Claims involving trusts, estates or a will 

Fortunately it's not just a choice between expensive litigation and doing nothing. There are other options.  A negotiated settlement is nearly always best - and most cases do settle. There are also alternatives to court proceedings - Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) - that our lawyers regularly recommend.

Arbitration is a private hearing before an independent arbitrator. Arbitration has a role in resolving employment and consumer disputes.

In Mediation an expert tries to help the two sides reach agreement. It is suitable for most forms of dispute. Decisions are binding only if both sides want them to be. Settling disputes this way works in 80% of cases.

Ombudsmen can resolve some disputes, but their decisions are sometimes ignored. Compensation tends to be low.

In early neutral evaluation an independent expert hears both sides and gives a non-binding opinion.

We have successfully handled many disputes - over the sale of goods and services, other contract disputes, insurance claims and motoring offences to name a few.

Funding your claim

We understand that funding any type of dispute can itself be stressful. To help with this we can discuss with you a variety of funding options such as "no win, no fee" agreements, legal expenses insurance, discounted hourly rates and fixed fees.

Why Cripps Harries Hall?

We are large enough to have specialist lawyers with the skills you need, but able also to offer a personal service suited to your individual requirements.

Next steps

If you are involved in a dispute, want to make a claim, or would like more information, please contact Myles McIntosh or Russell Simpson.

Latest news Date
+ Cripps Harries Hall named in Top 25 Law Firms
Cripps Harries Hall LLP is delighted to announce that, for the third year running, the firm's Private Client Division has been acknowledged as one of the "Top 25 Law Firms" by Private Client Practitioner magazine.
17/04/2012
Name Role Contact
Tom Evans Solicitor +44 (0)1892 506 034
Fiona Hillier Senior Manager - Landlord Services Team +44 (0)1892 506 330
Richard Housley Associate +44 (0)1892 506 204
Freddie Jackson Solicitor +44 (0)1892 506 068
Simon Jones Associate +44 (0)1892 506 293
Claire Lyon Senior Manager - Landlord Services Team +44 (0)1892 506 368
Myles McIntosh Partner +44 (0)1892 506 136
David Morgan Solicitor +44 (0)1892 506 048
Katie Mundy Solicitor +44 (0)1892 506 067
Miles Paffard Partner +44 (0)1892 506 216
Mike Scott Partner +44 (0)1892 506 101
Russell Simpson Partner +44 (0)1892 506 139
Paul Smith Associate +44 (0)1892 506 231
Carol Wakeford Partner +44 (0)1892 506 116
Ed Weeks Partner +44 (0)1892 506 196
Philip Youdan Associate +44 (0)1892 506 027
Legal updates view all
+ Wiil, trust and estate disputes legal update - November 2011
Legal update November 2011
 07/11/2011
+ Professional negligence update - November 2011
Scope of a retainer in property transactions did not extend to commercial advice about the transactions
 04/11/2011
+ Will, trust and estate disputes - October 2011
Legal update October 2011
 06/10/2011
+ Trust, estate and Will disputes update - Autumn 2011
In this edition we look at an interesting Will dispute in the case of Barett v Bem & others (2011) EWHC 1247 (Ch) and also consider Shovelar v Lane (2011) EWCA 802, a case that should serve as a warning to executors minded to become involved in Will disputes.
19/09/2011
+ Trust and estates dispute update - August 2011
Will disputes - Court upholds gift to friend despite allegation of undue influence
 02/08/2011
+ Professional negligence update - August 2011
Valuer's duty of care to buy to let purchaser. Reliance upon counsel's advice. Explaining CFA's
 01/08/2011
+ Professional negligence update - Summer 2011
In this issue we look at some of the main developments affecting professional negligence so far this year. With a landmark judgment for expert witnesses, and not forgetting the proposed costs reforms, it has certainly been an eventful year so far!
 28/06/2011
+ Trust and estate dispute update - Summer 2011
In this edition we look at the combined appeals in Pitt v Holt and Futter v Futter (2011) EWCA Civ 197 and also consider the Court of Appeal's decision in Ilott v Mitson and others (2011) EWCA Civ 346.
 26/05/2011
+ Trust and estate dispute update - Spring 2011
In this edition we look at the cases of Singellos v Singellos (2010) EWHC 2353 (Ch) and the Court of Appeal decision in Gill v RSPCA (2010) EWCA 1430.
 01/03/2011
+ Trust and estate dispute update - October 2010
In this edition we look first at the case of Charles, Derek and Thompson v Fraser (2010) ("the Fraser Case"), which reviewed the rules for mutual wills. In addition we look at two cases where applicants have successfully sought to remove Executors
 01/10/2010
+ Trust and estate disputes - update for professionals and practioners - July 2010
This case, which was recently heard in the Supreme Court, looked at section 35 Limitation Act 1980 and involved a dispute between two brothers (J and M) regarding their grandmother's two farms.
 01/07/2010
+ Trust and estate disputes - update for professionals and practitioners - June 2010
This month has seen the publication of details of the Aon Pension Trustees case which considered the definition of 'notice' and in particular, what it takes for the trustees to have been notified of a beneficiary or class of beneficiaries.
 01/06/2010
+ Trust and estate disputes - The rule in Hastings Bass after Futter and Pitt - June 2010
The recent cases of Futter and Cutbill v Futter and HMRC (2010) EWHC 449 ("Futter") and Pitt v Holt (2010) EWHC 45("Pitt") may have caused some sleepless nights amongst trustees.
 01/06/2010
+ Trust and estate disputes - Update for professionals - May 2010
This month has seen a lot of coverage of the Futter v Futter case and its implications for the future.
01/05/2010
Guidance view all
+ Guide to dealing with a small claim
This guide has been prepared to help you through the process and to try to avoid or minimise incurring legal fees on a small claim.
 19/05/2011
Publications view all
+ CrippsLife issue 15 - Summer 2011
Welcome to the latest issue of CrippsLife featuring news, reviews and legal issues.
 24/06/2011
+ CrippsLife issue 14 - Winter 2010
Welcome to CrippsLife and to a fresh look for our magazine previously called Private Lives. This reflects our new corporate identity and we hope you like it.
 01/12/2010
+ Private Lives issue 13 - Autumn/Winter 2009
The first hints of winter frosts are felt in Tunbridge Wells as this edition of Private Lives goes to print. Summer in Devon seems distant a memory now: at Paignton Zoo the keepers are busy with animals indoors and at Salcombe Dairy the ice cream delivery bicycle is garaged until the spring. Increasing unemployment affects clients at all levels and Roger Byard, back from his sabbatical, is giving strategic advice although there is a sense the worst may be behind us.
 01/09/2009
+ Private Lives issue 12 - Spring 2009
These are difficult times for everyone. The news is full of stories of redundancies, restructurings and businesses collapsing. But it doesn't all have to be negative; in every downturn there is an upside that can work to your advantage. In this issue, we take a look at some of the opportunities available. If you are a leaseholder, this is an excellent time to make an offer for the purchase of the freehold. Freehold values are calculated based on the value of the property;so if the property has dropped in value, so will the price of the freehold.
 01/03/2009
+ Private Lives issue 11 - Summer 2008
Summer has arrived with all its usual unpredictability; brilliant sunshine one day and monsoon rains the next. At Benington Lordship in Hertfordshire the Bott family plan their Chilli Festival with anticipation, hoping for good weather.
 01/06/2008
In the press view all
+ The true cost of disputes
Everyone knows there are two certainties in life; you pay taxes and you die
 28/10/2011
+ Tips for contesting a Will
Russell Simpson, head of will disputes at Cripps Harries Hall, has provided some tips for those thinking about contesting a Will.
 04/08/2011
+ Professional let down
Claims against professionals are on the rise, but the process can be complex and legal sdvice should be sought as soon as possible to help the claimant navigate the many complex issues which can arise
 01/12/2010
+ Don't court disputes - get help to solve them
'Never stir up litigation' (Abraham Lincoln). Whenever possible disputes should be discouraged and certainly not stirred up.
 11/10/2010
+ When death can lead to a dispute
Sometimes the trauma of a death can be compounded if the expectations of those close to the deceased are not met by the will or the law, if there is no Will (a state known as intestacy). Russell Simpson looks at the options.
 01/04/2010

Key contacts

Myles McIntosh
Disputes
+44 (0)1892 506 136
e-mail
Russell Simpson
Disputes
+44 (0)1892 506 139
e-mail