Property Disputes

Property disputes can quickly get out of hand. We’ve all seen news stories about neighbours driven to violence – or even murder – by something as simple as the height of a hedge.

We’ll help you settle any dispute as quickly, amicably and economically as possible – but it’s important to get advice early. There are a lot of myths about land law, and there have also been important recent changes, especially to the law of adverse possession.

Common problems include disputes about property boundaries, rights of way, adverse possession, nuisance and disputes where the sale of a home is involved.

So, whether you have a neighbour who claims he owns half your garden, or one who won’t agree to cut down the tree that is causing subsidence to your home, we can explain your options and help you find a solution that works.

Probate Disputes

Disputes about wills or probate can be particularly difficult, because they come at a time of great emotional distress. It’s important to strike a balance between standing up for what’s rightfully yours and recognising the powerful arguments in favour of reaching agreement and allowing everyone to move on.

Such of the issues which arise include opposing a grant of probate, disputing a will, forcing the executors to administer the estate, and making claims under the Inheritance Act for reasonable provision from the deceased’s estate.

Perhaps because of the emotional distress, there’s often a shortage of the goodwill necessary to resolve the dispute by agreement. Getting help from Eric Robinson will not only clarify what you can and cannot do, but will help to apply an objective view.

Contract Disputes

Many people think that contracts have to be in writing, but they don’t. And they’re not just something that affects businesses, either - everything from buying a kettle to getting a builder in to do an extension involves a contract.

Recent legislation, like the Sale of Goods Act, means that many disputes can be resolved quite simply. But, if there is a lot of money involved, or a vital possession – such as your home – then you should think about getting advice as early as possible.

Whether you’re thinking about making a claim, or worried that you’ll have to defend one, we can help. We can tell you what sort of case you have: where the weaknesses are, what can be done about them and, importantly, what a Court is likely to think – the natural starting point for negotation.

Getting lawyers involved at an early stage may cost a little money, but it can save you an awful lot more. It can also increase your chances of getting the dispute resolved without having to go to Court.

Bankruptcy

Bankruptcy creates all kinds of legal questions. Have the correct procedures been followed? Could the statutory demand be set aside? Might there be alternatives? What does it mean to be a bankrupt – and how long before you never have to worry about the bankruptcy again?

We can advise you about a wide range of issues, including statutory demands, bankruptcy petitions and dealing with bankruptcy trustees.

It's an unfortunate fact of life that creditors, lenders, banks and other professional firms tend to take people much more seriously if their letters come from a firm of solicitors, rather than the individuals themselves.

Defamation

Taking legal action over what someone has said or written about you is likely to cost serious money – so you need to think very carefully about whether it’s worth it.

That said, some things cannot be tolerated. The wrong thing said at the wrong time can cause serious damage to your reputation, even destroy a career.

There are strict (and short) time limits on defamation actions, so it’s important to get the right advice as soon as possible. Apart from anything else, this gives the best chance that any damage caused by what’s been said or written can be put right, making court action unnecessary.

Other Kinds Of Dispute

There are many other types of dispute that can arise in private life – from arguments over club membership to debt recovery to your relationship with local authorities and agencies.