Civil Litigation
At Law Lane Solicitors, we are your dedicated allies throughout any legal dispute. We’ll provide clear explanations and support every step of the way…
If you are pursuing or defending a civil claim in England and Wales, whether a contract dispute, a debt recovery matter, a property claim, or professional negligence, our civil litigation team, which includes in-house solicitor-advocates and barristers, is ready to advise and robustly represent you.
Civil disputes are rarely simple. Whether you are owed money that is not being paid, have suffered loss caused by a professional’s negligence, or find yourself defending a claim you believe is without merit, you need a Civil Litigation Solicitor who understands the law and knows how to move a case forward strategically. At Law Lane Solicitors, our civil litigation and dispute resolution team operates from our High Holborn office in Central London, focusing on high-value, complex disputes where the difference between winning and losing often comes down to the quality of preparation.
Director Sikandar Ali Jatoi leads our litigation practice. He is a solicitor-advocate with extensive experience across civil and commercial disputes, including contract claims, property litigation, professional negligence, and international matters. He works alongside our in-house barrister, creating a team that can move from initial advice and pre-action correspondence through to alternative dispute resolution or a full trial without the delays and cost of instructing external counsel at every stage. We hold an International Commercial Law accreditation and a Lexcel quality mark, and our client satisfaction rating of 4.95 across more than 1,200 reviews reflects the way we handle disputes: directly, honestly, and with a clear strategy.
“In terms of civil litigation, I would highly recommend Neville Langston, he went above and beyond to solve our issue with evicting our tenants which was a long winded and delayed matter. He’s a brilliant solicitor, and is very knowledgeable and understands what needs to be done to ensure that there are no potential holes in your case. He definitely has saved me money, by not having to go to another hearing. If you are dealing with a Section 21 matter, I highly recommend Neville.” SJ – Google Review
Our Civil Litigation Services
We advise and act for claimants and defendants on a wide range of civil disputes, including:
- Contract disputes, including breach of contract claims, disputes over terms, and rescission and rectification applications
- Commercial debt recovery, from pre-action letters before action through to High Court enforcement proceedings
- Property disputes, including boundary disputes, easements, adverse possession claims, and landlord and tenant litigation
- Professional negligence claims against solicitors, accountants, surveyors, financial advisers, and other professionals
- Shareholder and partnership disputes, including unfair prejudice petitions
- Insurance claims and coverage disputes
- International disputes and cross-border arbitration proceedings
- Freezing injunctions and other urgent interim applications to preserve assets or prevent harm while proceedings are underway
- Enforcement of judgments in England and Wales and internationally
- Contentious trusts and probate litigation, including disputed wills and claims under the Inheritance Act 1975
- Applications for summary judgment where the defendant has no real prospect of winning a claim
Why Choose Law Lane Solicitors for Civil Litigation?
The structure of our team is one of the things that most directly benefits litigation clients. Director Sikandar Ali Jatoi, as solicitor-advocate, combined with our in-house barrister, means that the same people who advise you and draft your statements of case can also stand up in court and argue your position. That continuity is not just more efficient: it produces better advocacy, because the advocate knows the case as deeply as the solicitor who prepared it.
We are experienced in both the County Court and the High Court, and our international commercial law accreditation reflects genuine experience of cross-border disputes, including proceedings that involve foreign parties, foreign governing law, or the need to enforce an English judgment abroad. Law Lane is also one of the few firms to hold Lexcel, the Law Society’s practice management quality mark, confirming that the way we run our cases and manage our business meets the highest standards of risk management, compliance, and client service.
We will not take a case and let it drift. From the moment we are instructed, we apply a clear strategy: assess the merits, identify the strongest arguments, comply with pre-action protocols to protect your position on costs, and push the matter to resolution, whether by negotiation, mediation, or final hearing, as efficiently as possible.
Get in touch today to discuss your dispute in complete confidence. Phone 020 7870 4870, email info@lawlanesolicitors.co.uk or fill in our contact form..
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Civil Litigation Areas
- Contractual disputes
- Property disputes
- Trust & Equity
- Financial disputes
- Banking
- Professional Negligence claims against solicitors, barristers, accountants, architects, surveyors, and other enforcement professionals
- Fraud & Investigations
- Data Breach Investigation
- Insurance Claims against Insurers/Business Interruption claims
- Enforcement Charging orders, Third-party Debt orders, Attachment of Earnings orders, Orders for Sale
Our practice expands further than these areas, we can offer bespoke services in line with your needs, you can make an enquiry on our website and we will assist you in achieving the outcome you deserve.
Frequently Asked Questions – Civil Litigation
How long do I have to bring a civil claim?
Under the Limitation Act 1980, the time limit for bringing a civil case depends on the type of claim. For most contract and tort claims, the limit is six years from the date the cause of action arose. In contract claims, this is typically the date of the breach; in tort claims, it is the date the claimant suffers damage.
For claims based on a deed, the limit is twelve years. Missing a limitation deadline will almost certainly remove your right to bring a claim, so if you are in any doubt about timing, speak to us without delay.
Do I have to try to settle before going to court?
Civil procedure rules in England and Wales require parties to consider alternative dispute resolution before issuing proceedings, and the court expects genuine engagement with that process. Refusing unreasonably to mediate or negotiate can have costs consequences even if you win your case. We advise all clients on the most appropriate approach to pre-action correspondence and settlement discussions, and where mediation is appropriate, we represent clients through that process as well.
What pre-action steps do I need to take?
Most civil claims are governed by a pre-action protocol that sets out what must happen before court proceedings are issued. In practice, this means sending a detailed letter before action, giving the other party a specified period to respond, and genuinely considering any response or settlement proposal received. The court takes non-compliance with protocols seriously and can impose cost penalties on parties who do not follow them. We manage the pre-action stage carefully to protect your costs position from the outset.
What is a freezing injunction, and when is it needed?
A freezing injunction is an emergency court order that prevents a party from moving, hiding, or dissipating their assets while court proceedings are pending or in contemplation. Courts in England and Wales will grant freezing injunctions where there is a good arguable case, a real risk that assets will be removed or dissipated, and it is just and convenient to make the order. Applications are often made without notice to the other party, to prevent assets being moved before the order is served. We have extensive experience in making urgent injunction applications in the High Court and will advise you and manage the entire process.
What happens if the other side ignores a court judgment?
Obtaining a judgment is one step; enforcing it is another. If the other party does not pay voluntarily, several methods are available, including a charging order over property, a third-party debt order against bank accounts, an attachment of earnings order, or the seizure of goods by a High Court enforcement officer. The right enforcement method depends on what assets the judgment debtor holds. We advise on and conduct enforcement proceedings, including international enforcement, where the judgment debtor holds assets abroad.
I have a claim against a professional who gave me negligent advice. What must I prove?
A professional negligence claim requires you to establish that the professional owed you a duty of care, that they fell below the standard of a reasonably competent professional in their field, and that their failure caused you a loss that is not too remote. Claims against solicitors, accountants, surveyors, and other regulated professionals follow the same framework, but the specific standard expected varies by profession and by the nature of the retainer. We assess professional negligence claims at the outset to give you a clear view of prospects before you commit to proceedings.
Can you handle disputes involving parties based abroad?
Yes. We regularly act in disputes involving foreign parties, foreign law, or assets held in multiple jurisdictions. International disputes require careful analysis of where proceedings should be brought, which country’s law governs the contract or relationship, and how any judgment can be enforced. We work with overseas lawyers where local proceedings are needed, and we advise on arbitration clauses in international contracts where court proceedings may not be the appropriate forum.
What is the difference between the County Court and the High Court?
The County Court handles the majority of civil claims in England and Wales. Claims worth less than £100,000 usually proceed in the County Court, as do most personal injury and housing cases. The High Court deals with higher-value claims, those raising significant points of law, and claims requiring specialist expertise in its Business and Property Courts, which include the Commercial Court, the Technology and Construction Court, and the Intellectual Property Enterprise Court. Some claims may be issued in the High Court for tactical reasons even where the financial limit would allow County Court proceedings. We advise you on the most appropriate and advantageous forum for your claim.
How much does civil litigation cost?
Litigation costs depend on the complexity of the claim, the other party’s conduct, and how far the matter proceeds. We offer an initial consultation at a fixed fee, during which we will give you an honest assessment of the prospects and a realistic estimate of costs. In some cases, funding arrangements such as conditional fee agreements or after-the-event insurance may be available.
How do I start a legal claim?
Call or email us with a brief outline of the dispute, and we will arrange an initial consultation with a member of the litigation team. At that first meeting, we will go through the facts with you, advise on the strength of your position and the options available, and outline the steps to be taken. We do not encourage unnecessary litigation, but where proceedings are the right course, we pursue them without hesitation.
Civil Litigation Team
Sikandar Ali Jatoi
Director, Solicitor AdvocateView Profile | ContactBook Appointment
Neville Langston
Solicitor & Office Manager, Central LondonView Profile | ContactBook Appointment
Afaque Solangi
SolicitorView Profile | ContactBook Appointment
Christian O. Nwaorah
SolicitorView Profile | ContactBook Appointment
Sahil Umar
ParalegalView Profile | ContactBook Appointment
Trung Nam Nguyen
Consultant SolicitorView Profile | ContactBook Appointment
Phillipa Gelland
Litigation SolicitorView Profile | ContactBook Appointment
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