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Litigation & Dispute Resolution

Our litigation team has a successful track record of bringing, defending and settling high value and complex cases. 

We look to combine clear, pragmatic advice and a strategic approach to deliver results.

We specialise in advising clients on large scale complex multi-party litigation, including cross-border disputes. Our strategic planning ensures that Our Clients interests are always at the heart of the litigation.

Our client centric and focused approach depends upon whether the business relationship is on-going, where we employ discretion and sensitivity to manage it but at the same time protecting our clients’ interests. 

Where a relationship has broken down, we advise clients on how best to terminate their contractual relationships and release from themselves from their obligations.

In the face of bringing or defending proceedings we provide a commercial and strategic approach at all stages of litigation both pre-action using an effective settlement strategies, and alternative dispute resolution as well as the conduct of litigation if proceedings are issued.

We pride ourselves on our use of state-of the art legal technology, which gives us a professional advantage in allowing our team to maintain an enhanced competitive output whilst operating within our client’s budget.

Claims regarding Failed Off-Plan Developments

Elysium Law were instructed by large groups in multiple claims for professional negligence, breach of trust and breach of contract against conveyancing solicitors relating to off-plan fractional residential development schemes.

These claims, whilst involving different developments were similar in that a Developer marketed and sold units in an off-plan project, predominantly to overseas buyers. These buyers intended to let the units upon completion. The developments use a fractional sales model and buyers typically paid large deposits of 50%-80% of the total purchase price. These deposits were due to be used to fund completion of the project and were held on trust within a ‘buyer company’, usually with the Sellers solicitor as director, pursuant to a legal charge.

The money held within the buyer company was then spent on construction and more pertinently marketing and the buyers lost their deposits with little to no building work completed.

Elysium Law have obtained many multi-million pound recoveries for client groups.

For more information please read our article on this topic.

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Defending claims made against Loan Charge Contractors

Elysium Law were instructed to defend claims made against loan charge contractors.

We represented individuals often working for an umbrella company or for their own personal service company. These individuals had been marketed a tax avoidance scheme which in short involved the payment of minimum wage and the remainder of earnings due were paid by way of a ‘loan’, which they were informed would never need to be repaid. In some cases they were told the scheme was a condition of joining the umbrella company.

Unusually, the purported ‘loans’ had been assigned out of the Trust and have either directly or via other companies ended up being assigned to a company who made demands for payment.

Elysium reviewed over 107,000 pages of documents disclosed in this matter and it was clear from the review of these documents, together with evidence from Our Clients, that the loans were ‘circular’ and were never intended to be repaid. This was clearly a tax avoidance arrangement, and the loans were, in our view, unenforceable.

Elysium Law facilitated a mediation in order to narrow the issues in dispute. Following that Mediation, Elysium Law subsequently served upon the company a comprehensive letter of response that rebutted the claims on the grounds of collateral contract, misrepresentation and breach of trust.

For more information please read our article on this topic.

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Breach of Contract and Duty to Account

Elysium Law have successfully settled a claim on behalf of a company in relation to breach of contract and duty to account by a former employee.

This related to work done by the employee both prior and post leaving the company and thus the breach of express and implied terms of the contract, together with breach of post termination restrictions and a duty to account were pleaded.

This matter was successfully settled following negotiation between Elysium Law and the Defendant.

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Determination of the Distribution of Monies pursuant to a Trust

Elysium Law have successfully acted for Trustees in a significant, complex and protracted Part 8 claim for determination of the distribution of monies pursuant to a trust totalling over £5,000,000.

This claim was very complex as it involved a contested element and as such was a ‘hybrid’ Part 7 and Part 8 claim. This was extremely unusual and required, following an order, evidence submitted under Practice Direction 57AC as well as statements asking for the court’s guidance as to the distribution of the trust fund.

A further complexity to this litigation was that the majority of beneficiaries were overseas and as such the dynamics of this matter and the fiduciary duties of the Trustees needed to be carefully considered at every stage.

The disputed element of the claim settled after a 17 hour mediation involving Hong Kong based clients. Overall, the case was conducted over a 4 year period and the settlement agreements were, following complex submissions, approved by the High Court.

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Richard Gray

Barrister Director

Described as an innovative, dedicated and highly driven lawyer with a strong vision for the use of a Barrister lead firm to deliver high quality advice.

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Ruby Keeler-Williams

Legal Executive

As a professional who has quickly built a successful career path, Ruby’s extensive and thorough knowledge of the law and procedure is invaluable in identifying the key issues of any new instructions we receive.

Latest Litigation & Dispute Resolution news

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Norwich Pharmacal Orders: Understanding the Procedure and Application

In this article, Ruby Keeler-Williams of Elysium Law discusses Norwich Pharmacal Orders, when they are suitable, and the application procedure As part of our role in assisting Clients with Litigation, it is important to have a clear understanding of the tools available to obtain evidence and information. One such tool is a Norwich Pharmacal Order […]

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STANDSTILL AGREEMENTS AND HMRC

In this article David Brogelli discusses the use of a Standstill Agreement specifically in disputes with HMRC but also their relevance in wider applications. Limitation The Limitation Act 1980 sets out specific time limits for certain actions to be brought. A Claimant’s failure to do so is an absolute bar to bringing the Claim, but the […]

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Get in touch with Elysium Law for more information about our practice areas or for any general enquiries using our contact form or call 0151 328 1968.