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Contractual dispute solicitors in Staffordshire and the West Midlands

 

Clear, commercial advice when a contract has gone wrong, and a steady hand to put it right.

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Call: 01543 263 456

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Early advice usually means a quicker, cheaper outcome. Tell us what has happened and we will set out your options.

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Resolve a contract dispute the right way

When a contract breaks down it can put real pressure on your business, your cash flow and your working relationships. Whether someone has not paid, has not delivered, or is reading the terms differently to you, the aim is the same. Protect your position and reach a sensible outcome without more cost or disruption than necessary.

Our dispute resolution solicitors act for businesses and individuals across Lichfield, Cannock, Sutton Coldfield, Dudley and the wider West Midlands.

We look at the contract, the evidence and the commercial picture, then advise on the route most likely to get you where you want to be, whether that is a negotiated settlement or, where needed, court proceedings.

Make an enquiry

What our dispute resolution solicitors can help with

From a disputed invoice to a full breach of contract claim, we help you understand your position and act on it.

Breach of contract claims and defence

Non-payment and disputed invoices

Supply of goods and services disputes

Misrepresentation and misleading statements

Disputes over contract terms and interpretation

Termination and notice disputes

Warranty and indemnity claims

Disputes over variations and scope of work

Recovering or defending damages

Negotiated settlements and without prejudice talks

Mediation and alternative dispute resolution

Court proceedings where settlement is not possible

Make a confidential enquiry

Tell us what has happened and we will put you in touch with the right person. 

How a dispute is resolved

 

Most disputes settle long before a courtroom. The courts actually expect both sides to try to resolve things first, so a structured, commercial approach is usually the fastest way to a result.

1

Early advice

We review the position, the evidence and your goals, then set out your options and the likely cost.

2

Letter before action

We set out your claim clearly to the other side, which often opens the door to settlement.

3

Negotiation

We try to agree a sensible outcome without proceedings, protecting your position throughout.

4

Mediation and ADR

Where it helps, a structured settlement process can resolve matters faster and at lower cost.

5

Issuing a claim

If settlement is not possible, we issue court proceedings and manage the case for you.

6

Resolution

The dispute ends in a negotiated settlement or, where it goes the distance, a court judgment.

How contractual disputes work

A contractual dispute usually comes down to one side believing the other has not done what they agreed to do. That might be a missed payment, work that falls short, goods that were not as described, or simply two parties reading the same clause in very different ways.

Where there has been a breach, the contract and the law set out what you can ask for. That often means damages to put you back in the position you would have been in, but other remedies may be available depending on the situation. The wording of the contract usually drives the outcome, which is why getting it reviewed early makes such a difference.

A written contract is not always essential either. Verbal and informal agreements can still be binding, although they can be harder to prove, so good records always help your case.

Key things you should know

  • Most contract claims must be brought within six years of the breach under the Limitation Act 1980. For contracts made as a deed it is usually twelve years.
  • The courts expect parties to try to settle before issuing proceedings, and following the pre-action protocols matters.
  • The contract terms usually decide the outcome, so an early review of the wording is worth its weight.
  • Costs can often be recovered from the losing side, but rarely in full, so the commercial maths matters.
  • Mediation settles a large share of disputes faster and far more cheaply than a trial.
  • Acting early protects evidence and strengthens your hand if matters do escalate.

Why getting the right advice matters, and why Ansons

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Commercial advice

We keep one eye on the outcome and the other on the cost, so the strategy always makes business sense.

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We aim to settle

Court is a tool, not the default. We push for the sensible outcome wherever we can.

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Experienced disputes team

A team that handles commercial disputes day in, day out.

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Plain English

Clear advice without the legal jargon, so you always know where you stand.

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Costs explained clearly

You will understand the likely cost and the options before you commit to anything.

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Local offices

Offices in Lichfield, Cannock, Sutton Coldfield and Dudley, with clients across the West Midlands.

Ready to talk to a dispute resolution solicitor?

Tell us about your dispute and we will explain your options before you commit to anything

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Frequently asked questions

What counts as a breach of contract?

A breach happens when one party does not do what the contract requires, for example not paying, not delivering, or delivering something that does not meet the agreed standard. Some breaches are minor and some go to the heart of the deal, and that difference affects what you can do about it.

Do I have to go to court?

Usually not. The large majority of disputes settle through negotiation or mediation. Court proceedings are there as a backstop for when the other side will not engage or a sensible settlement cannot be reached.

How long do I have to bring a claim?

For most contract claims you have six years from the date of the breach under the Limitation Act 1980, and twelve years if the contract was made as a deed. Time limits are strict, so it is worth taking advice sooner rather than later.

Your Dispute Resolution Team

Our Dispute Resolution team helps individuals and businesses deal with conflict quickly, proportionately and with as little stress as possible. From contract and property disputes to inheritance claims, neighbour issues and workplace disagreements, they focus on practical solutions, explaining your options clearly, weighing up risk and cost, and working towards the outcome that best protects your interests, whether through negotiation, mediation or the courts.

Latest Insights.

Explore Ansons Insights for the latest legal updates, case reviews, and practical advice from our team across commercial, property, family, and private client law.

Serving clients across Staffordshire and the West Midlands

 

Ansons has offices in Lichfield, Cannock, Sutton Coldfield and Dudley, supporting clients across the wider region including Tamworth, Burntwood, Rugeley, Walsall, Birmingham and beyond.

St Mary's Chambers, 5-7 Breadmarket Street, Lichfield, Staffordshire, WS13 6LQ

T: 01543 263 456
E: info@ansons.law

Commerce House, Ridings Park, Eastern Way, Cannock, Staffordshire, WS11 7FJ

T: 01543 466 660
E: info@ansons.law

316-318 Lichfield Road, Sutton Coldfield, West Midlands, B74 2UG

T: 0121 716 3716
E: info@ansons.law

Unit 10, Castle Court 2, Castlegate Way, Dudley, DY1 4RH

T: 0121 550 0010
E: info@ansons.law

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Ansons Solicitors Limited (trading as Ansons Solicitors and Ansons) is a UK law firm registered in England and Wales as a limited liability company No. 09425410 whose registered office is at St Mary’s Chambers 5-7 Breadmarket Street, Lichfield, Staffordshire, WS13 6LQ. Ansons Solicitors Limited is authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority with SRA No. 627635.

A list of directors and their professional qualifications is available for inspection at the registered office. The term director in relation to Ansons Solicitors Limited is used to refer to a director of Ansons Solicitors Limited or an employee of equivalent standing and qualification.