Dispute Resolution
Complex disputes start earlier than you think. We help you spot the risk, ask the right questions, and act before it becomes tomorrow’s litigation.
Disputes rarely start where you think they do
Most complex disputes don't begin with a claim. They emerge gradually, from decisions, pressures and risks that don't initially look legal, but can quickly become contentious.
By the point they become legal issues, the consequences can be significant: financial exposure, operational disruption, and scrutiny at board level, particularly around what was known, when, and how decisions were made.
We help organisations stay ahead of that curve and act decisively when it matters.
Clarity where it matters most
We work with boards and senior leadership teams on complex, high-value and business-critical disputes. Our role is straightforward: understand the real risk, bring clarity to the options, and help you act with confidence.
Because we work across governance, investigations, operational risk and litigation, we are often brought in before a dispute has fully crystallised, at the point when asking the right question can still change the outcome.
That may mean resolving an issue early and quietly. Or it may require firm, strategic litigation. Either way, we focus on control, outcomes and protecting the business.
In practice, that spans governance and decision-making, internal investigations, escalation and reporting, regulatory and reputational exposure, crisis response and preparedness, and complex operational or technology-related disputes.
Key contact
James Hartley
Partner & Divisional Head of Dispute Resolution
Anticipate. Escalate. Respond.
Anticipate
The biggest litigation risks rarely look legal at first. They come from governance gaps, operational pressures or issues left unresolved. We help identify where exposure is building, and what it could become.
Escalate
When risk starts to build, the priority is getting the right people around the issue, fast. We provide clear, independent advice on your exposure and options, so you can make informed decisions before position, timing or control are lost.
Respond
When a dispute becomes unavoidable, we act decisively, for either side. We build strong, well-structured cases and pursue the right route to resolution, whether that means an early commercial outcome or firm, strategic litigation.
Explore our latest thinking
Beyond Horizon
We represented more thank 550 subpostmasters in the High Court group action against Post Office Ltd. The case ran for more than a decade before reaching court. The warning signs were there years earlier.
"A first-class and extremely competent firm that came to the aid of a major victims' group when all else had failed to expose the truth and when justice had eluded the group for many years. Having failed to find legal support for so long, Freeths took the victims on board and helped to deliver outstanding success with judgments that have changed so many lives."
Sir Alan Bates
Horizon Convictions Redress Scheme
Have you, or someone you know, been affected by a Post Office Horizon-related conviction?
In May 2024, the government passed legislation quashing convictions for up to 950 individuals affected by the Post Office Horizon scandal, most of whom have not yet received compensation for this miscarriage of justice.
We are here to support victims of the Post Office Horizon scandal and help them secure the compensation they are entitled to.
How we work
We bring a commercial, disciplined approach to every matter. From the outset, we focus on three questions: what is the real exposure, what are the likely outcomes, and what is the right course of action now.
This keeps decisions grounded in reality, not assumption. No drift, no unnecessary complexity, no surprises.
Key contact
James Hartley
Partner & Divisional Head of Dispute Resolution
Meet the Dispute Resolution team
The people behind the work, and the experience they bring.
Talk to us before you need to
If you're weighing governance, escalation or risk exposure on a live or anticipated issue, talk to a member of our dispute resolution team directly.
Notable work
Complex disputes in practice
Represented more than 550 subpostmasters in the High Court group action against Post Office Ltd concerning the Horizon accounting system. The case exposed one of the UK’s most significant miscarriages of justice and showed how unresolved operational, technology and governance failures can become long-running litigation, public scrutiny and institutional crisis.
Acted for Philips Electronics and Philips Pension Trustees in £300 million professional negligence claims against Aon Hewitt and AllianceBernstein concerning the design and implementation of the pension fund’s investment strategy. The matter followed an earlier £100 million actuarial negligence claim, also handled by Freeths and successfully settled following mediation.
Successfully defended Eurobet UK Ltd in a £650,000 High Court claim brought by an online gambler after a large win caused by a software bug. The case attracted national and international media coverage and was later included in The Telegraph’s list of the year’s biggest computer failure cases.
Acted for a developer facing threatened suspension and termination by its design and build contractor during the conversion of office premises to residential use. With fire safety issues unresolved, a £2 million contractor claim and funder longstop exposure, we helped resolve the dispute by contract variation within 26 days of instruction.
Testimonials
Thank you for your efforts this week. In a world where law firms experience bad press and excellent customer service is rare, it is refreshing to s...
Client testimonial, Managing Director/Owner
Winston Joinery Group
"Freeths provide first class legal advice alongside a deep understanding of our needs and objectives as a business. Freeths always go that extra mi...
The Legal 500, 2026
"The key contacts are good, solid performers. They give the impression they understand us as a client, are working towards our agreed objectives, a...
The Legal 500, 2026
"Really experienced, commercially attuned team with unrivalled knowledge."
The Legal 500, 2026
"We've worked with this team across several complex matters, and what sets them apart is their ability to combine deep legal expertise with a clear...
The Legal 500, 2026
"The team is highly responsive, collaborative, and practical. We value how hands-on the team are and how seamlessly they work across borders and di...
The Legal 500, 2026
"Freeths fly a bit under the radar in that they deserve a far higher profile in commercial litigation than they have. They fight on equal terms aga...
The Legal 500, 2026
"The collaboration across various offices is excellent to make sure your matter is given the right level of attention from the appropriate fee earn...
The Legal 500, 2026
"We deliberately moved to this firm for a more proactive approach on long-standing matters. It has certainly been a good move."
The Legal 500, 2026
"The people make the difference at Freeths. They are a thoughtful, courteous group, and one feels as if they are always focused on a client's best...
The Legal 500, 2026
"Freeths has depth in legal resources and people that ensures that the client does not have to engage multiple lawyers and keeps the brief internal...
The Legal 500, 2026
"The team deftly navigated complex situations. The individuals we worked with were strong and, when appropriate, supported by other team members wi...
Chambers & Partners, 2026
"The commercial litigation team at Freeths continues to remain a go-to for complex and high value commercial claims. A thorough team with tenacious...
Chambers & Partners, 2026
"The Freeths disputes team are incredibly proactive and detail-oriented. They understand the complexities of our business and the need for quick re...
Chambers & Partners, 2026
"The team have a pragmatic and common sense approach to litigation, as the Client I feel that they are acting in my best interests and that earning...
The Legal 500, 2025
"Freeths is an extremely strong presence in the market: it is large enough to have all the expertise and resources which a dispute of this nature m...
The Legal 500, 2025
"Freeths provide first class legal advice alongside a deep understanding of our needs and objectives as business. Freeths always go that "extra mil...
The Legal 500, 2025
"Their commitment to innovation shines through their use of cutting-edge legal technology, providing clients with transparent services."
The Legal 500, 2025
"Freeths always go that "extra mile" and look for ways in which they can add value for the client. They do this by putting in the effort to underst...
The Legal 500, 2025
"They very quickly get to grips with the background and the issues, understanding the technical side in order to give advice that is tailored to th...
Chambers & Partners, 2025
Who we work with
Our clients that we are proud to work with
Our accreditations
We are celebrating another year of accreditations and rankings.
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