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Chester · North Wales · Central England

Litigation
Services

When negotiation, mediation, and other forms of dispute resolution have failed — or are simply not appropriate — our experienced litigators will represent you in court, pursuing or defending your claim with skill and determination.

SRA Regulated
Costs Explained Upfront
Same-Day Response
Chester · North Wales · Midlands

No obligation — talk through your options first · Costs explained clearly · Payment arrangements available

Our Litigation Service

Representing you from pre-action to judgment

Litigation is the process of resolving a dispute through the courts. It is often the last resort — but sometimes it is the only appropriate route, particularly where the other party is uncooperative, the claim is urgent, or significant sums are at stake.

Our litigation solicitors advise on the strength of your case, the likely costs and timescales, and the realistic prospects of success — before any proceedings are issued. We will always explore whether a negotiated settlement is achievable before recommending court action.

Where litigation is necessary, we manage the entire process: pre-action correspondence, issuing proceedings, disclosure, witness statements, expert evidence, and representation at trial.

Honest case assessment

We assess the strength of your case honestly — including the risks, costs, and realistic prospects of success — before any proceedings are issued.

Full case management

We manage every stage of the litigation process, from pre-action letters to trial preparation and representation.

Costs transparency

Litigation costs are explained clearly at every stage. We advise on cost-benefit and whether settlement is preferable to proceeding.

Defending claims

We defend claims brought against you with the same rigour and determination we apply to pursuing claims on your behalf.

Types of Litigation

What we litigate

Contract and commercial disputes
Property and boundary disputes
Debt recovery and enforcement
Professional negligence claims
Inheritance and probate disputes
Shareholder and director disputes
Landlord and tenant disputes
Consumer and service claims
Neighbour disputes

Indicative Fees

What does litigation cost?

Litigation costs are genuinely difficult to predict at the outset — the time involved depends on the complexity of the case and how the other party responds. The table below gives indicative ranges for each stage.

All fees are exclusive of VAT (20%). Court fees and expert witness fees are additional disbursements.

StageIndicative Fee
Initial advice & case assessment£300 – £600 + VAT
Pre-action correspondence (letter before action)£600 – £1,200 + VAT
Issuing a County Court claim (up to £10,000)£1,800 – £3,600 + VAT
County Court claim (£10,000 – £100,000)£3,600 – £9,600 + VAT
High Court litigation£9,600 + VAT (indicative)
Settlement negotiation£600 – £2,400 + VAT

We do not ordinarily offer no-win, no-fee for litigation. We will always provide a written cost estimate before any work begins. Payment arrangements are available — please ask.

The Process

How litigation works

01

Initial advice and case assessment

We assess the merits of your case, advise on the likely costs and timescales, and explore whether settlement is achievable before proceedings are issued.

02

Pre-action correspondence

We send a formal letter before action setting out your claim and giving the other party an opportunity to respond. Courts expect this step to be taken.

03

Issuing proceedings

If the matter cannot be resolved, we issue a claim in the appropriate court. The defendant has a set period to respond.

04

Disclosure and evidence

Both parties exchange relevant documents and witness statements. Expert evidence may be required in technical disputes.

05

Trial and judgment

The case is heard before a judge. We present your case and cross-examine the other side. The judge issues a binding judgment.

Your Litigation Solicitor

Alex Bailey, Litigation Solicitor at PDA Law Chester

Alex Bailey

Solicitor — Commercial Litigation & Employment Law

Alex qualified in 2007 and has extensive experience in civil and commercial litigation across the North West, North Wales, and Central England. He provides honest, proportionate advice and will always explore whether early settlement is achievable.

FAQs

Common questions about litigation

Do you offer no-win, no-fee for litigation?
We do not ordinarily offer no-win, no-fee (conditional fee agreements) for litigation matters. Litigation costs are difficult to predict — the time involved depends on the complexity of the case and how the other party responds. We provide clear cost estimates before any work begins and update you regularly. Payment arrangements are available — please ask.
How long does litigation take?
County Court proceedings typically take 12–18 months from issue to trial, depending on the complexity of the case and the court's availability. High Court proceedings can take longer. We always explore whether early settlement is achievable — most cases settle before trial.
Can I recover my legal costs if I win?
In court proceedings, the general rule is that the losing party pays the winning party's costs — but this is not automatic and the court has discretion. We will advise you on the realistic prospects of cost recovery in your specific case.
Do you advise clients in North Wales and the Midlands?
Yes. We act for clients across North Wales (Wrexham, Flintshire, Deeside, Denbighshire) and Central England (Birmingham, Coventry, Wolverhampton, Nottingham, Leicester). The majority of our litigation work is conducted remotely — no office visit is required.
What is a letter before action?
A letter before action is a formal letter sent before court proceedings are issued. It sets out your claim and gives the other party an opportunity to respond. Courts expect parties to follow pre-action protocols, and failure to do so can result in cost penalties. A well-drafted letter often resolves disputes without the need for court proceedings.

Need to pursue or defend a claim?

Speak to a litigation solicitor today. We will assess your case honestly and advise on the most effective route to resolution.

No obligation — talk through your options first.

SRA Regulated
Costs Explained Upfront
Same-Day Response
Chester & England/Wales
Experienced dispute solicitors
Honest assessment of your position
All enquiries strictly confidential

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