Business Legal Services

Partnership Disputes

Service overview: Partnership dispute resolution

  • Disagreements between partners are among the most sensitive type of commercial dispute. They arise inside a business between close business associates and have the potential to infect the entire business.
  • Our partnership disputes solicitors understand the different factors at play during a partnership dispute. Circumstances are present which don’t always arise during other types of commercial dispute.
  • Sensitivity at all stages of the legal process is essential. Without it employee performance and focus can be affected. In addition the external image of the partnership and individual partners among clients and competitors may be damaged.
  • There’s a lot at risk from a mismanaged partnership dispute. Goodwill and capital assets that may have been built up over years could be in jeopardy. Carefully developed business reputations may be damaged irrevocably.
  • If there’s a partnership agreement in place it will normally set out a procedure for dispute resolution. If there’s no agreement it’s essential to decide quickly how to approach the dispute.
  • At Harper James we will always explore settlement, using recognised alternative dispute resolution methods (ADR), including negotiation, arbitration and mediation.
  • We also have offices in Sheffield, Birmingham, Oxford, Manchester, Cambridge and London where we meet clients in person when that is necessary. But you don’t need to be based near any of these offices to get our advice. Using cutting edge legal software we handle a large amount of our work remotely.

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What we do: Solicitors to resolve partnership disputes

Partners have a unique business relationship. It’s based on mutual trust and respect – a shared outlook on how to run the business. When the relationship goes wrong it can be difficult to prevent the dispute becoming personalised.  We work with partnerships and limited liability partnerships (LLPs) of all sizes across a wide range of business sectors to resolve disputes. Our priority is to forcefully defend the position of the partner or partners we represent and to minimise any impact on the business resulting from the dispute.

We handle all types of partnership dispute including disputes that arise relating to division of assets after a partnership is dissolved or following the death of a partner. Our advice covers:

Breaches of partnership agreements

Enforceability of clauses in partnership agreements (members’ agreements in LLPs), including restrictive covenants, compulsory retirement and partner expulsion provisions.

Disputes over partnership accounts and business valuation mechanisms

Ownership disputes

Alleged breaches of fiduciary duties by partners

Partnership winding up and dissolution issues

Discrimination issues, including enforceability of rights specified in a partnership agreement

Partner status issues, including advice on employed/self-employed status for tax and employment law purposes

We also help businesses avoid the disruption caused by partnership disputes through periodic reviews of partnership agreements and partnership processes and working practices.

We encourage existing partnership clients and those approaching us for the first time to get in touch as soon as a disagreement – or the possibility of one – arises. The personal nature of many disputes between partners means they can escalate quickly making partnership dispute resolution more complex and costly than it needs to be

Who we help: Partnerships and LLPs of all sizes

Partners and members of LLPs facing a partnership dispute approach us from a wide variety of backgrounds. We are a full-service law firm so have the capacity and expertise to advise on partnership disputes in all sectors. Our clients come from traditional sectors including the professions and manufacturing. But we also represent partnerships operating in the emerging, and disruptive industry sectors like technology and energy.


Testimonials

What our clients say

Harper James has provided us with a highly responsive and pragmatic dispute resolution service which has been efficient and very cost effective in resolving recent disputes.
Alex Sloley CFO, Triptease
Choosing Harper James was one of the best choices we made as a start-up. The firm has provided invaluable advice and insight throughout the early stages of our business.
Leigh Purnell CEO, Petalite
Our solicitor Michael was very honest and open. I really appreciated that, and would like to pass thanks to him for making our options so clear.
Philip Spencer Director, Dextra Insight
I can’t sing our solicitor’s praises enough: fast, efficient, sensible and supportive. A quick and fair resolution to all queries that we have worked on together and would thoroughly recommend her to any of my contacts.
Samuel B Higgs Account Director, Signal Media
Harper James has provided us with a highly responsive and pragmatic dispute resolution service which has been efficient and very cost effective in resolving recent disputes.
Alex Sloley CFO, Triptease
Choosing Harper James was one of the best choices we made as a start-up. The firm has provided invaluable advice and insight throughout the early stages of our business.
Leigh Purnell CEO, Petalite
Our solicitor Michael was very honest and open. I really appreciated that, and would like to pass thanks to him for making our options so clear.
Philip Spencer Director, Dextra Insight
I can’t sing our solicitor’s praises enough: fast, efficient, sensible and supportive. A quick and fair resolution to all queries that we have worked on together and would thoroughly recommend her to any of my contacts.
Samuel B Higgs Account Director, Signal Media

Why use our partnership dispute solicitors?

We’re a modern firm with a fresh approach. Our emphasis on ADR to resolve partnership disputes helps businesses move forward efficiently and reduces the internal upheaval associated with disputes between partners.

Our focus on remote working allows you to get City-quality legal advice affordably. We never compromise on the quality of our advice. Expect to be guided by partner-level solicitors trained at Top 100 UK law firms and lawyers with extensive experience working for national and international commercial organisations.

Find out more about our partnership dispute lawyers:


Pricing plans

Legal support designed
to fit your business needs

Our three transparent pricing packages are designed to give you the widest possible access to high-quality legal advice, whatever the size and nature of your business:

City

Straightforward access to senior solicitors at a competitive rate.

An affordable solution for businesses needing one-off legal support. Receive ‘City’ partner-level expertise at a fraction of ‘City’ prices.

On-Demand

Providing you with priority access to a dedicated panel of highly experienced solicitors.

Fully account managed quarterly subscription service for businesses with more complex legal needs.



What next?

Please leave us your details and we’ll contact you to discuss your situation and legal requirements. There’s no charge for your initial consultation, and no-obligation to instruct us. We aim to respond to all messages received within 24 hours.

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Our offices

A national law firm

A national law firm

Our commercial lawyers are based in or close to major cities across the UK, providing expert legal advice to clients both locally and nationally.

We mainly work remotely, so we can work with you wherever you are. But we can arrange face-to-face meeting at our offices or a location of your choosing.

Head Office

Floor 5, Cavendish House, 39-41 Waterloo Street, Birmingham, B2 5PP
Regional Spaces

Stirling House, Cambridge Innovation Park, Denny End Road, Waterbeach, Cambridge, CB25 9QE
13th Floor, Piccadilly Plaza, Manchester, M1 4BT
10 Fitzroy Square, London, W1T 5HP
Harwell Innovation Centre, 173 Curie Avenue, Harwell, Oxfordshire, OX11 0QG
1st Floor, Dearing House, 1 Young St, Sheffield, S1 4UP
A national law firm

To access legal support from just £145 per hour arrange your no-obligation initial consultation to discuss your business requirements.

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