Disputes can arise when partners want to change the strategic direction of the business, or a when a partnership is looking to recruit, expel, or retire a partner. Disputes can be more common when there is not a formal partnership agreement in place.
Partnership disputes can be complex and costly, both emotionally and financially. Obtaining specialist advice at an early stage is crucial to understand your rights and obligations. This can be extremely valuable to resolve disputes quickly and minimise disruption to the business. Whether your partnership is governed by a written agreement or not, experienced representation can help you to prevent a dispute from escalating.
A partnership which is governed by a binding agreement will typically outlines partners’ duties and obligations, professional standards and governance, financing and profit-sharing arrangements as well as management structures and procedures. Disagreements typically arise over the interpretation or application of the partnership agreement; it will therefore likely set out the dispute resolution processes to be followed should a dispute arise.
A partnership can also arise inadvertently. A partnership without a formal agreement is governed by the terms of the Partnership Act 1890. Significantly, just as there are no provisions to expel or recruit a new partner under a partnership at will, there are also no dispute resolution procedures to follow. In such partnerships it is crucial that you receive specialist legal advice at an early stage.
Our solicitors are highly experienced in the complex legal framework governing partnership disputes, acting for both claimants and defendants. Whether you are concerned about management structure, profit sharing or misuse of partnership time, they deal with a wide range of disputes across a range of sectors and practice areas.
Some of the ways in which we can assist you include:
Our solicitors are highly experienced in managing all types of partnership disputes. We strive to provide our clients with clear, tailored advice about their rights under a partnership agreement or, where no agreement exists, under the Partnership Act 1890.
Our solicitors understand that partnership disputes can lead to damaging and costly outcomes. We are committed to protecting your personal and corporate interests, helping you devise a plan to minimise the financial and emotional impact of any partnership dispute.
Whether the dispute relates to a breach of obligation under a partnership agreement or a breach of fiduciary duty under the Partnership Act, we will provide you with clear and commercially minded advice. It is our aim to act swiftly and effectively to understand the nature of your business, the market in which you operate, and the parts of the business potentially threatened by the dispute. We will work with you to maintain business relationships by negotiating sensible and cost-effective resolutions. Where it is necessary, we will help you to seek appropriate remedies through the courts, including damages, account of profits and injunctive relief.
If you are in a partnership and a dispute — or the possibility of one — arises, please contact Taylor Hampton today to find out how our solicitors can help you.
Taylor Hampton can assist you in pursuing or defending claims for defamation, guiding and supporting you throughout the entire process.
Taylor Hampton is London’s leading Award Winning Privacy, Defamation and Phone Hacking Solicitors.
Taylor Hampton have successfully acted in the following cases:
Sylvia Henry, the Baby P Social Worker, in her successful action against the Sun in relation to 80 highly defamatory articles. The Sun was forced to apologise to Ms Henry, both in Court and in print, and to pay her substantial damages and her costs.
Antonio Serrano, a GP, in his claim for defamation against the Daily Mail after the paper falsely ran a story condemning his treatment of a patient. The paper ran a story under the headline, “A whole year of hell, thanks to a foreign doctor”. Dr Serrano was fully vindicated by the Court and was awarded substantial damages and his costs.
Dr Sarah Thornton, an author and academic, who was libelled by the Daily Telegraph. This was a landmark case which changed the law. It led to the important test of “substantial damage to reputation” being required in order to found a libel action. This subsequently contributed to the enactment of the “serious harm” test in the Defamation Act 2013. It was also notable because general damages were awarded for malicious falsehood for the first time in many years.
Bruno Lachaux, a French aerospace engineer residing in the UAE, in his claims for defamation against the Independent Print Limited, the “i” Newspaper, the Evening Standard and AOL (UK) Ltd, otherwise known as the Huffington Post. This is another landmark case in the law of libel, having been one of the first to test the requirement for ‘serious harm’ under the Defamation Act 2013.