Contract Dispute Lawyers

Contract Lawyers in the UK

We’re a specialist UK law firm known for incisive, straight-talking legal advice. We handle consumer and commercial contract disputes for individuals and businesses.

As contract dispute lawyers we have extensive experience in dealing with contract negotiations, drafting and resolving contractual disputes and general common law disputes including consumer credit, product liability and the sales and supply of goods and services.

Our contract law expertise

Our experience and expertise include:

• Formation of contracts
• Terms and conditions
• Exclusion and limitation
• Distance selling
• Misrepresentation and mistake
• Breach of contract
• Late payment law
• Termination of contract
• Unfair contract terms
• Director liability
• Vicarious liability
• Frustration and force majeure
• Anticipatory breach and termination
• Cases involving the sale of goods and the supply of services
• Cases arising from financial services

Who our contract law lawyers serve

We work with and advise both potential claimants and defendants across a wide range of civil cases from relatively low value small claims to high value claims. No matter the size of the claim, clients can be assured we will work hard on their behalf.

Contracts can be in writing, formed by conduct, a course of dealing or orally. Each include express terms and conditions, and those implied by statute. Consumer contracts are also governed by the Consumer Rights Act. (We cover this in more depth on our consumer contract law solicitors page). In any event, importantly, contracts should be clear, unambiguous, and capable of guiding each party to perform their obligations.

What we can help with

Breach of contract

Breach of contract disputes is an inevitable side effect of business and consumer transacting.

In simple terms, a breach occurs when one or other of the parties to a contract fails to fulfil its obligations under the terms of the agreement.

Commonly this may involve the:

• Late or failure by one party to pay an invoice for money owed and due to the other:
• Failure to supply goods bought under contract or the sale of defective or unsatisfactory goods, such as a car, van, motorhome, machinery etc
• Supply of poor-quality services such as building work, fitting a kitchen or bathroom, electrical, plumbing or consultancy or agency services and
• Wrongful termination of a contract.

The remedy for the breach of contract depends on whether it is a term or a condition, whether the party not in breach has accepted the breach, and/or whether the defaulting party has remedied it.

Importantly, not all breaches of contract are repudiatory or bring the contract to an end, and not all will give the innocent party the right to claim anticipatory breach of contract or to terminate the agreement.

Formation of contract

Contract law 101 tells us there are four elements to a contract; intention to create legal relations, offer, acceptance and consideration.

However not all contracts are formed by the traditional offer and acceptance approach but may be formed by conduct, course of dealing and/or an exchange of correspondence between the parties.

Contracts can be formed by a written agreement, by conduct or verbally.

Unfair contract terms act

Contracts contain terms and conditions or T’s and C’s. Some may be express terms and others may be implied by statute, for example. However, just because a term or condition is written doesn’t mean it is binding. The unfair contract terms act was passed to enable terms to be assessed in the context of reasonableness to determine whether a party can rely on them or not.

Interpretation of limitation or exclusion clauses by a contract law lawyer

Contracts often include clauses which can limit or exclude liability, their effect depends on whether the contract is business-to-business, commercial, or consumer based and must met the ‘reasonableness’ test under the Unfair Contract Terms Act.

Regardless of the method, formation rests on core principles: intention to create legal relations, offer, acceptance, and consideration. Without agreement on material aspects, there’s likely only an agreement to agree.

Contracts may be varied by consent and breached by failure to perform, however, not all breaches give the right to terminate immediately.

Generally, the breaching party must be given a chance to remedy the issue. Denying this opportunity could put the innocent party in breach. Wrongful termination can carry serious consequences.

What’s important when choosing a specialist lawyer?

At Stormcatcher Law, we’ve developed our specialism, experience, and expertise over a long career rather than books alone. That’s why we’re a top choice for a specialist law firm. Experience tips the scales when it comes to specialist law, and we’re proud that our critical thinking and firsthand experience has got us to where we are today.

If you think that a specialist lawyer should know, the subject matter of the dispute inside out, then this is the firm for you.

Why choose Stormcatcher Law

Stormcatcher is a specialist civil law firm with expertise in contract, consumer, and commercial law. We handle a wide range of disputes including issues involving the sale of goods, supply of services, consumer credit, and financial services.

We advise consumers, businesses, retailers, and finance companies across the UK and internationally by phone or video link, making it easier than ever to start the legal process. Our team is regularly instructed on matters involving:

• Contract formation
• Misrepresentation
• Civil fraud
• Unfair terms
• Exclusion clauses
• Breaches of warranty or terms and conditions

We have real-world experience and a strategic results-driven approach to resolving complex commercial disputes. Contact us today to see how we can help you.

Get in touch with our contract lawyer

Confused? Clear up the grey areas of your contract or get free initial advice on your contract dispute by calling our contract experts on 0333 700 7676.