INFORMATION for BUSINESSES
	As a businessman you will appreciate how much legal advice and help costs these days. The Lord Chancellor introduced the Small Claims Procedure to encourage members of the public to conduct their own legal cases thus minimising costs in pursuing any claims through the County Courts. However,when you are running your own business, time is one of the main factors. If you are chasing old debts or disputes you are not spending time generating new customers. The time and effort spent is often not cost effective.
	The claim limit at the Small Claims Court is now £5000.00. These Limits cover the majority of simple cases, including debt recovery and service disputes. They are normally heard at an informal hearing where a qualified Judge awards the case to one party or the other dependent upon the evidence put before him.
	Should you instruct me to act on your behalf .I can prepare your case papers for you indicating the relevant points of law pertinent to your specific case and advise on your probability of success. You are then free to conduct the case yourself should you wish to do so.
	Alternatively, you may not feel confident enough to negotiate or present your own case or it may simply be a lack of time. If this is so, you can instruct me to act in all matters on your behalf whereupon I will prepare your case papers and advise you on your case, I will negotiate with any third party involved with the sole aim of resolving your case out of court.
	If I am unable to resolve your case out if court I will pursue the matter through the court using my best endeavours to reach a successful outcome, which includes continued negotiation with any third party with a view to a pre-court settlement, the filing of court papers and attendance at court as your advocate if required.
	Throughout the process I will keep in regular contact with you to update you of any progress and take further instructions. You will be aware from the start how much the case will cost you and you may withdraw at any time. ( Please see my Terms of engagement ) Should further costs be incurred during the process, you will be advised immediately to enable you to consider their implications.
	Should you wish to proceed with your case please read the Terms of engagement, then contact me for an instruction form. Upon completion return the form together with any documentary evidence you may have and a brief outline of the circumstances of your case.
	You may telephone me to discuss your requirements prior to returning the instruction form and for your convenience you can fax or e-mail the forms back using the contacts listed on this page.
	Unfortunately, some disputes do end up being referred to a Small Claims Court