Contract Disputes | By Lawyers
Skip to main content

Contract Disputes

This publication guides practitioners through contract dispute matters, including non-court dispute resolution, court hearings, and enforcement.

2 Matter Plans

Overview

The commentaries cover some of the many types of contracts, including express and implied terms. It also covers the fundamentals of the conduct of a contract dispute matter, both before and during court proceedings.

The Reference materials folder includes guidance on electronic signing and witnessing, and the comprehensive Getting the matter underway folder includes compliance and client care documents. Using the extensive Retainer Instructions when gathering information ensures nothing is missed.

Precedents in this publication include:

  • letters to clients explaining the process and protocols;
  • conditional fee agreements;
  • letters of demand;
  • particulars of claim;
  • settlement agreements.
Icon

2 Matter Plans Included

  • Item icon ALERTS - Nil
  • Item icon Full Commentary - Contract Disputes - Acting for the Claimant
  • Folder icon Reference materials
    • Item icon AI Prompts
    • Item icon Electronic Signing and Witnessing
    • Item icon Looking to the Future
    • Item icon Further information
    • Item icon Article: Alternative dispute resolution
    • Item icon Article: Costs actually
  • Item icon Overview and limitation periods
    This guide deals with agreements between two or more parties on a commercial issue, usually business-to-business. Consumer contracts for personal, domestic, or household transactions are beyond the scope of this guide. Contractual disputes arise when one party to a contract alleges that the other ...

    This excerpt is a preview of the full publication. You can Subscribe Now and gain immediate access to the complete publication.

  • Item icon Summary of the process
    The usual steps in acting for a claimant in a contract dispute are:

    This excerpt is a preview of the full publication. You can Subscribe Now and gain immediate access to the complete publication.

  • Folder icon A. Getting the matter underway
    • Item icon File cover sheet - Contract disputes
    • Item icon To do list - Contract disputes - Acting for the claimant
    • Item icon First steps
    • Item icon Retainer instructions - Contract disputes
    • Folder icon Compliance documents
      • Item icon Client Due Diligence and Anti-money Laundering Guidance
      • Item icon Client Details, Identity Verification and Source of Funds
      • Item icon Conflict of interest check
      • Item icon Client and matter risk assessment
      • Folder icon If required - Reporting an issue
        • Item icon Anti-money laundering internal disclosure
    • Item icon Initial letter to client enclosing Client Care and Terms of Business
    • Folder icon Enclosures for initial letter to client
      • Item icon Client care information
      • Item icon Terms of business
      • Item icon Scope of work - Contract disputes - Acting for the claimant
      • Item icon A summary of the dispute resolution process
    • Item icon Funding a dispute matter
    • Folder icon If required - Conditional fees and damages-based agreements
      • Item icon Conditional fee agreements
      • Item icon Conditional fee agreement
      • Item icon Letter to client explaining barrister's fees
      • Item icon Letter to client giving informed consent to conditional fee agreement
      • Item icon Enclosure - Conditional fee agreements explained
      • Item icon Damages-based agreements
      • Item icon Damages-based agreement
      • Item icon Letter to client enclosing damages-based agreement for signing
      • Item icon Enclosure - Damages-based agreements
      • Item icon Notice of funding of case or claim
    • Item icon Time and costs estimates
    • Folder icon If required - Letter to client varying the Client Care and Terms of Business
      • Item icon Letter to client varying the Client Care and Terms of Business
    • Folder icon General deeds, agreements, statements, declarations, consents, and execution clauses
      • Item icon Deeds and agreements
      • Folder icon Deeds
        • Item icon Deed for general use
        • Item icon Deed of assignment of agreement
        • Item icon Deed of assignment of agreement with consent
        • Item icon Deed of assignment of an insurance policy
        • Item icon Deed of assignment of equitable interest in residential land
        • Item icon Deed of gift
        • Item icon Deed of guarantee
        • Item icon Deed of release
        • Item icon Deed of release and grant
        • Item icon General deed of indemnity
        • Folder icon Library of standard clauses for deeds
          • Item icon Amendment
          • Item icon Confidentiality
          • Item icon Confidentiality - Extensive
          • Item icon Costs
          • Item icon Counterparts
          • Item icon Dispute resolution
          • Item icon Events beyond control
          • Item icon Governing law and jurisdiction
          • Item icon Interpretation
          • Item icon No assignment
          • Item icon Notices
          • Item icon Severance
          • Item icon Third parties
          • Item icon Waiver
          • Item icon Whole agreement
      • Folder icon Agreements
        • Item icon Agreement for general use
        • Item icon Boundary agreement
        • Item icon Confidentiality agreement
        • Item icon Construction agreement
        • Item icon Heads of agreement
        • Folder icon Library of standard clauses for agreements
          • Item icon Amendment
          • Item icon Confidentiality
          • Item icon Confidentiality - Extensive
          • Item icon Costs
          • Item icon Counterparts
          • Item icon Dispute resolution
          • Item icon Events beyond control
          • Item icon Governing law and jurisdiction
          • Item icon Interpretation
          • Item icon No assignment
          • Item icon Notices
          • Item icon Severance
          • Item icon Third parties
          • Item icon Waiver
          • Item icon Whole agreement
      • Folder icon Statements and declarations
        • Item icon Statement of truth
        • Item icon Statement of truth - High Court
        • Item icon Statutory declaration
        • Item icon Statutory declaration of solvency
        • Item icon Affidavit - General
        • Item icon Exhibit sheet for affidavits - General
        • Item icon Witness statement - Family matters
        • Item icon Exhibit sheet to witness statement - Family matters
        • Item icon Witness statement - Civil matters
        • Item icon Exhibit sheet to witness statement - Civil matters
      • Folder icon Execution clauses
        • Item icon Execution clauses - Agreements and contracts
        • Item icon Execution clauses - Deeds
        • Item icon Execution clauses - Overseas companies
      • Folder icon Consents
        • Folder icon If required - Personal data consent - General
          • Item icon Letter to client enclosing general consent
          • Item icon Letter to third party enclosing general consent
          • Item icon Letter to third party requesting personal data and enclosing client’s general consent
          • Item icon Letter to third party requesting personal data and enclosing third party general consent
          • Item icon Consent to provide information - General
          • Item icon Consent to provide information - General - Third party
        • Folder icon If required - Personal data consent - Health professional
          • Item icon Letter to client enclosing consent - Health professional
          • Item icon Letter to third party enclosing consent - Health professional
          • Item icon Letter to doctor enclosing client consent
          • Item icon Letter to doctor enclosing third party consent
          • Item icon Consent to provide information - Health professional
          • Item icon Consent to provide information - Health professional - Third party
        • Folder icon Change of name
          • Item icon Change of name deed for an adult - Concise
          • Item icon Change of name deed for a minor - Concise
          • Folder icon If required - Enrolment by an adult
            • Item icon Change of name deed for an adult - For enrolment
            • Item icon Statutory declaration - Enrolment of adult change of name deed
            • Item icon Notice for the London Gazette on the change of name of an adult
            • Item icon Consent to enrolment of change of name of an adult
          • Folder icon If required - Enrolment by a minor
            • Item icon Change of name deed for a minor - For enrolment
            • Item icon Statutory declaration - Enrolment of minor change of name deed
            • Item icon Affidavit of best interest for the change of name of a minor
            • Item icon Consent to enrolment of change of name of a minor
  • Folder icon B. Preparatory casework and letters before claim
    • Item icon Initial considerations, including the ability to pay
    • Item icon Pre-action protocols
      Pre-action protocols are specified in the Civil Procedure Rules, including the steps the court expects parties typically to take before commencing proceedings. There is no specific protocol for contract disputes so the Practice Direction – Pre-action conduct and protocols applies. The objectives of ...

      This excerpt is a preview of the full publication. You can Subscribe Now and gain immediate access to the complete publication.

    • Item icon Letter to client advising on protocols
    • Item icon Practice direction - Pre-action conduct and protocols
    • Item icon Letter to client confirming instructions to issue proceedings despite non-compliance with protocols
    • Item icon Letter of claim
      Under the protocols, every case begins with correspondence between the opposing sides to establish the basis of the claim, allowing each side to have enough information to decide where they stand and attempt an early settlement of the matter without recourse to the courts. A letter of claim – also ...

      This excerpt is a preview of the full publication. You can Subscribe Now and gain immediate access to the complete publication.

    • Item icon Letter of claim to defendant - Contract disputes
    • Item icon Letter of claim to defendant's solicitor - Contract disputes
    • Item icon Certificate of service
    • Item icon The defendant’s reply
      A letter of response should state whether the claim is accepted or denied, either in part or whole. If the letter of claim does not comply with the protocol and does not give the defendant enough details to assess the claim’s merits, it is appropriate to reply that the letter of claim is not ...

      This excerpt is a preview of the full publication. You can Subscribe Now and gain immediate access to the complete publication.

  • Folder icon C. Settling the matter
    • Item icon Settling the matter
    • Item icon Letter to the other side’s solicitor suggesting alternative dispute resolution
    • Item icon Mediation settlement agreement
    • Item icon Letter to defendant’s solicitor making Calderbank offer
    • Folder icon If required - Part 36 offers
      • Item icon Enclosure - Part 36 offers
      • Item icon Letter to client suggesting making a Part 36 offer
      • Item icon Offer to settle (Section I Part 36)
      • Item icon Letter to other side's solicitor making Part 36 offer
      • Item icon Letter to client enclosing copy Part 36 offer made
      • Item icon Letter to client enclosing copy Part 36 offer received
    • Item icon Settlement agreement
    • Item icon Letter to client with draft settlement agreement
    • Item icon Letter to other side's solicitor with settlement agreement
    • Item icon Letter to court confirming settlement
    • Item icon General form of judgment or order
    • Folder icon Library of example consent orders
      • Item icon Clause - Consent order for judgment notation of agreement
      • Item icon Clause - Consent order payment inclusive of costs
      • Item icon Clause - Consent order judgment in favour of one party
      • Item icon Clause - Consent order for proceedings to be dismissed with no order as to costs
      • Item icon Clause - Consent order for acceptance of lesser sum
    • Item icon Letter to other side's solicitor sending draft consent order
    • Item icon Letter to court filing draft consent order on settlement
  • Folder icon D. Court practice and procedure
    • Item icon Court practice and procedure, including limitation and issuing claims
    • Folder icon If required - Limitation issues
      • Item icon Standstill agreement to extend limitation
      • Item icon Standstill agreement to suspend limitation
    • Item icon Issue a claim for damages with MyHMCTS
    • Item icon Money Claim Online (MCOL)
  • Folder icon E. Statements of case, filing and service
    • Item icon Starting a claim
    • Item icon Claim form (CPR Part 7)
    • Item icon Claim form (N1SDT)
    • Item icon Clause - Particulars of claim - Contract disputes
    • Item icon Letter to court filing claim
    • Item icon Letter to client confirming issue of proceedings where service is to be delayed
    • Item icon Service
    • Item icon Letter to defendant serving claim
    • Item icon Letter to defendant's solicitor serving claim
    • Folder icon Enclosures for letter serving claim - Response pack
      • Item icon Guidance for defendants replying to the claim form: N1C
      • Item icon Response pack
      • Item icon Admission (specified amount)
      • Item icon Admission (unspecified amount, non-money and return of goods claims)
      • Item icon Defence form
      • Item icon Defence and counterclaim (specified amount)
      • Item icon Defence and counterclaim (unspecified amount, non-money and return of goods claims)
    • Item icon Letter to defendant providing particulars of claim after MCOL claim
    • Item icon Letter to court providing particulars of claim after MCOL claim
    • Item icon Certificate of service
    • Item icon Defendant’s response
    • Item icon Example content - Reply to defence
    • Item icon Extension of time
    • Item icon Letter to defendant's solicitor responding to request for extension of time
    • Item icon Counterclaims and additional claims
  • Folder icon F. Interim applications
    • Item icon Interim applications
    • Item icon Letter to client with advice about default judgment
    • Item icon Request for judgment and reply to admission (specified amount)
    • Item icon Request for judgment by default (amount to be decided by the court)
    • Item icon Letter to client with advice about summary judgment
    • Item icon Application notice
    • Item icon General form of judgment or order
    • Item icon Clause - Wording for Form N244 requesting summary judgment
    • Item icon Example content - Draft order for summary judgment
    • Item icon Letter to court filing documents
    • Folder icon If required - Evidence
      • Item icon Letter to court filing written evidence
      • Item icon Letter to other side's solicitor serving written evidence
    • Item icon Letter to client after summary judgment success
  • Folder icon G. Case management and directions
    • Item icon Case management, including directions questionnaire
    • Item icon Directions questionnaire (small claims track)
    • Item icon Directions questionnaire (fast track, intermediate track and multi-track)
    • Folder icon Enclosures for directions questionnaire - Disclosure and costs
      • Item icon Disclosure report
      • Item icon Costs budget (Precedent H) and budget discussion report (Precedent R)
      • Item icon Precedent T - (budget variation summary sheet)
      • Item icon Using the automated app – Precedent H – Costs budget
      • Item icon Using the automated app – Precedent S – Bill of costs
    • Item icon Letter to client confirming costs budget
    • Item icon Letter to defendant's solicitor serving costs budget
    • Item icon Small claims track standard directions
    • Item icon Small claims track special directions
    • Item icon Fast track standard directions
    • Item icon Multi - track standard directions
    • Item icon Listing questionnaire (pre-trial checklist)
    • Item icon Application notice
    • Item icon General form of judgment or order
    • Item icon Letter to court filing documents
  • Folder icon H. Disclosure and evidence
    • Item icon Disclosure
    • Item icon Letter to client regarding disclosure
    • Item icon Standard disclosure
    • Item icon Electronic documents questionnaire (Civil Procedure Rules Practice Direction 31B)
    • Item icon Disclosure report
    • Item icon Letter to other side's solicitor enclosing disclosure report
    • Item icon Letter to other side's solicitor requesting to inspect documents
    • Item icon Evidence
    • Folder icon Library of evidence documents
      • Item icon Proof of evidence
      • Item icon Witness statement - Civil matters
      • Item icon Example content - Witness statement for civil matters
      • Item icon Exhibit sheet to witness statement - Civil matters
      • Item icon General form of affidavit
      • Item icon Clause - Affidavit for civil matters
      • Item icon Exhibit sheet for affidavits - Civil matters
      • Item icon Notice of intention to rely on hearsay evidence
      • Item icon Notice to admit facts
    • Item icon Letter to court filing documents
    • Item icon Letter to court filing written evidence
    • Item icon Letter to other side's solicitor serving written evidence
    • Item icon Expert witnesses
    • Folder icon If required - Expert witnesses
      • Item icon Letter to expert requesting report
      • Item icon Letter to court filing expert's report
      • Item icon Letter to other side's solicitor serving expert's report
  • Folder icon I. Final hearing and costs
    • Item icon Preparation for the final hearing, including court bundles
    • Item icon Letter to counsel enclosing brief
    • Item icon Brief to counsel - Civil matters
    • Item icon Letter to client advising of court hearing date
    • Item icon Letter to court advising client will not attend
    • Item icon Letter to witness advising hearing date
    • Item icon Small claims track special directions
    • Item icon Listing questionnaire (pre-trial checklist)
    • Item icon Letter to court filing documents
    • Item icon County Court, High Court and Appeal Court - Trial bundle cover page
    • Item icon County Court, High Court and Appeal Court - Trial bundle index
    • Item icon Case summary
    • Item icon Chronology - Civil matters
    • Item icon Letter to other side's solicitor enclosing index to trial bundle
    • Item icon Letter to other side's solicitor enclosing trial bundle
    • Item icon Letter to court filing trial bundle
    • Item icon Costs budget (Precedent H) and budget discussion report (Precedent R)
    • Item icon Precedent T - (budget variation summary sheet)
    • Item icon Using the automated app – Precedent H – Costs budget
    • Item icon Using the automated app – Precedent S – Bill of costs
  • Folder icon J. Finalising the matter
    • Folder icon If required - Discontinuance
      • Item icon Notice of discontinuance
      • Item icon Letter to court filing documents
    • Item icon Letter to client advising successful outcome and enclosing invoice
    • Item icon Letter to client advising unsuccessful outcome with advice about appeal and enclosing invoice
    • Item icon Example invoice
    • Item icon Invoice recital - Contract disputes - Acting for the claimant
    • Item icon Enclosure - Explaining the bill
    • Item icon Letter to client finalising the matter
    • Item icon Closing the file
    • Item icon File closing checklist
    • Item icon File review form - General
  • Item icon Comments and suggestions for By Lawyers

Our Authors

A team of legal professionals contribute to By Lawyers' publications, all helping to ensure that content is updated regularly to reflect changes in legislation, practice, and procedure.

Meet Our Authors
Authors