Business
Commercial and Civil Litigation
The Commercial and Civil Litigation Team at Dean Wilson LLP has a breadth of experience in all areas of dispute resolution, from contract disputes to possession claims. Our team takes a pragmatic view of the merits of your case, and will make you aware of all your options before deciding on a course of action.
Commercial & Civil
Litigation Solicitor Services
Alternative Dispute Resolution is actively encouraged and considered prior to court proceedings. However, we believe it is equally important to recognise when court proceedings are necessary. Either way, our team members are precise, meticulous and will dedicate themselves to achieving the most suitable and cost-effective outcome for you.
Litigation can be daunting, so our experienced people will guide you through the court procedure step by step, working closely with you and providing regular costs updates.
The work we do includes the following, as well as debt recovery, and supply-of-goods-and-services claims:
Commercial and Civil Litigation Services
Our Commercial & Civil Litigation solicitors and lawyers in Brighton carry out work including:
In any commercial dispute, part of the challenge is appreciating that every business is different. Whilst contractual claims can appear straightforward, a “broad-brush” approach will not always be appropriate. We take the time to really understand your business and, whether your priority is recovery of a commercial debt, preservation of your reputation and your competitive edge or early settlement, we will strive to find the best solution to meet your business needs. We act for a number of small and medium sized companies around the UK and can provide advice on a retained basis.
Partnership disputes require a proactive approach and careful handling, with a focus on ensuring the survival of the business if appropriate or achieving a partnership dissolution. If resolution is possible, then our dispute resolution team will guide you through the process and we aim to do so in a way that causes the least disruption to your business. We can also assist with day-to-day disagreements.
Although regrettable, injunctions and enforcement are sometimes a necessary part of recovery of assets and debts owed to a business. Our team never neglect the vital steps and work with a number of trace agents in the UK and abroad. We can assist with debtor/asset tracing; freezing injunctions, charging orders and attachment of earnings orders. A prompt service is often essential so please communicate with us at an early stage.
Whether you are considering winding up your company or you would like advice on enforcing a debt through a statutory demand or bankruptcy petition, our team is on hand to provide help and advice to your business and can help you with winding up petitions as well as directors’ personal liability matters. We recognise that there is often a great deal of background to these issues and the best way forward is to discuss it with us at the earliest opportunity.
Your Commercial and Civil Litigation experts
Get to know those who are here to help you
Duncan Wilks
Partner, Dispute Resolution
Areas of Specialism
Duncan advises clients on a range of contentious issues relating to property including:
- Lease renewals
- Dilapidations
- Restrictive covenants
- Easements
- Boundary disputes
- Forfeiture
- Debt recovery
- Adverse possession
- Break rights
- Breaches of contract/lease terms
- Possession claims (both commercial and residential)
- Disputed mortgages and secured loans
- Trusts in land
- Tenants in administration/liquidation
Duncan’s other main area of practice is litigation arising out corporate insolvency and bankruptcy and in particular, transactions at undervalue, preferences, director conduct and trustee possession claims.
Duncan has extensive experience of broader commercial issues including contractual disputes, debt recovery and professional negligence.
Recent Client Matters
- Acting for a landlord in a successful application to the Land Tribunal for a declaration of breach of lease owing to the tenant (a housing authority) placing residents in their properties who abused drugs.
- Acting for a property owner who acquired a large commercial premises subject to an unregistered 999-year lease; brought a successful claim under s.29(1) of the Land Registration Act 2002 for a declaration that the client purchased free of the lease and thereafter recovered possession.
- Bringing a successful action for forfeiture of a long residential lease owing to the tenant making unauthorised structural alterations.
- Defending a client against a high-street mortgage provider taking sale and possession proceedings; no possession was ordered and the claim was settled.
- Acting for the liquidator of a well-known company bringing a successful claim against a director for breach of fiduciary duties.
- Acting for a defendant company in its successful defence against a multi-million pound claim relating to unpaid commission for investment introductions.
- Bringing possession proceedings (and successfully defending an appeal) against a tenant who used the client’s property for holiday lettings.
Feedback
“Duncan Wilks goes the extra mile. He takes the pressure from your shoulders and happily puts it on his. He is excellent in his field.”
Legal 500, 2024
“Duncan took over a difficult and complex dispute for me. He cut through the background noise, identified the real issues and formed a strategy. He took control and found a solution which resulted in a favourable outcome.”
Duncan can be contacted by email: drw@deanwilson.co.uk or on his direct dial: 01273 249236.
Rebecca Roberts
Associate Solicitor, Dispute Resolution
Areas of Specialism
Rebecca is a Solicitor in the General Litigation team and specialises in dispute resolution, breach of contract, construction disputes, property litigation - including possession claims and debt recovery and enforcement.
Recent Client Matters
- Rebecca successfully obtained a freezing injunction in the high court for her client to prevent the Defendant dissipating their assets ahead of high court action.
- Rebecca settled a complex high court case reported in the media in respect of a construction dispute – Rebecca achieved a three-figure settlement figure for her client.
- Rebecca settled a breach of contract dispute concerning bonus payments – this was settled ahead of a multi-track trial and achieved a very favourable financial result for the client.
- Rebecca has been instructed by and defended high profile clients in the music industry where Rebecca had the claim against them dismissed.
Qualifications, Membership
- Solicitor (LLB Hons)
Rebecca can be contacted by email: RR@deanwilson.co.uk or on their direct dial: (0) 1273 249212.
Daniel Dickson
Associate Solicitor, Dispute Resolution
Areas of Specialism
Daniel is an Associate Solicitor who specialise in Property Litigation matters. Daniel has experience
in dealing with landlord and tenant disputes for both residential and commercial properties, real
estate disputes, lease extensions and enfranchisement. Daniel also deals with contractual disputes,
debt collection, claims under the Consumer Credit Act, and takes a keen interest in taxi licensing
having been instructed in the leading case of Kaivanpor v Sussex Central Justices (High Court).
Recent Client Matters
- Claim for possession of a residential property upon the grounds of redevelopment;
- Opposing a claim for a new lease of a commercial property (pursuant to the Landlord and
Tenant Act 1954) based upon alleged breaches of leasehold covenants; - Appeal against a noise abatement notice served by the Local Authority upon a well-known
and highly regarded local restaurant; - Appeal against the revocation of a taxi licence by Brighton & Hove City Council.
Qualifications, Membership & Directory Rankings
- Solicitor (LLB Hons)
- Committee of the Sussex Law Society
- “Solicitor Daniel Dickson is well regarded for his work on disputes involving forfeiture and
breach of contract”; “A well led property team has meant that there are various up and
coming junior solicitors learning from talented partners and are being prepared to be the
next stars. Daniel Dickson requires particular mention” – Legal 500, 2022
Daniel can be contacted by email (djd@deanwilson.co.uk) or on his direct dial (01273 249232).
