Firm profile: Saunders Law is a specialist London litigation practice handling complex and high-value business disputes. With an office facing the High Court, the firm is led by an experienced, partner-led team that acts for PLCs, entrepreneurs, diplomatic missions and charities around the world. Head of Commercial Litigation Matthew Purcell oversees the practice.
Why choose Saunders Law?
- Global reach, London base. The firm advises clients from London, the Middle East and Asia, acting for global PLCs, start-ups, entrepreneurs, diplomatic missions and charitable organisations. They typically take on disputes valued over £250,000, with most instructions starting at £1 million.[1]
- Specialist litigation focus. Saunders Law is a niche, partner-led litigation practice that handles only disputes and debt recovery, allowing it to deliver commercially realistic advice and strong advocacy. High-profile cases include obtaining an urgent injunction to stop a container ship leaving Portsmouth and winning a £10 million contract appeal.[1]
- Market-leading expertise. The firm’s lawyers are trained at leading City firms and provide strategic, high-level advice while maintaining competitive fees. Saunders Law has been independently recognised in the Legal 500 and Chambers & Partners rankings for commercial litigation.[1]
- Flexible pricing and tailored approach. Without the overheads of many City practices, Saunders Law offers flexible fee structures and funding arrangements such as conditional fee agreements and litigation funding. The team aligns each strategy with the client’s commercial needs and budget.[1]
- Central High Court location. Operating from offices facing the High Court in central London, the firm is ideally located for City clients while serving international clients remotely.[3]
Core services
Saunders Law handles the full spectrum of commercial litigation and dispute resolution. Typical matters include:
- Commercial contract disputes. The firm has wide experience in claims for breach of contract, dealing with disputes over employment, construction, property and international supply agreements. They advise on contracts that are written or verbal and have expertise in claims where damages exceed £100,000.[3]
- High value debt recovery. The debt recovery team assists with pre-action collections, County Court proceedings, High Court enforcement, winding-up orders and international recovery for claims over £250,000. They are clear that they cannot cost-effectively handle debts below £100,000.[2]
- Fraud, asset recovery & freezing injunctions. The firm works with clients to investigate and recover fraud losses, obtain freezing orders to protect assets and enforce judgments from abroad.[8]
- International arbitration and enforcement. With clients across Asia and the Middle East, Saunders Law offers representation in international arbitration and assistance in enforcing US and foreign judgments in England.[9][10]
- Professional negligence & directors’ duties. They advise on claims against professionals who fall below expected standards and on disputes arising from directors’ fiduciary duties.[12]
Approach to dispute resolution
The firm prioritises early and cost-effective resolution. Commercial litigators review the case and send a robust letter before action setting out the claim and required remedy. The team then explores Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR)-negotiation, mediation and arbitration-to reach a settlement that protects commercial relationships and privacy. If settlement cannot be achieved, Saunders Law draws on its extensive advocacy experience, having represented clients up to the Supreme Court.[1]
New CPR rules on ADR: From 1 October 2024 the Civil Procedure Rules were amended to allow courts to order parties to participate in ADR and to penalise those who unreasonably refuse to do so. The overriding objective now includes encouraging ADR, and courts must consider it in case management. Saunders Law uses ADR strategically and advises clients on its benefits in light of these changes.[4]
Notable cases
The team has successfully represented clients in a range of high-stakes disputes. Examples include:
- Advising global trading entities across Asia and the Middle East on multi-billion-pound trading disputes.[1]
- Representing a large property development company in a dilapidation claim negligently settled by surveyors.[1]
- Defending a global cosmetics brand against an injunction under a distribution agreement.[1]
- Negotiating a complex settlement between a major supermarket and a licence holder concerning commercial property rights.[1]
- Winning a £10 million contract appeal at the Court of Appeal, overturning a High Court summary judgment.[1]
- Obtaining an urgent injunction preventing a container ship from leaving Portsmouth to protect millions of pounds of assets.[1]
Client feedback
Testimonials highlight the team’s diligence and client care. A client described Deputy Head of Commercial Litigation Vikesh Navsaria’s representation: “Despite difficulties dealing with the other party and their legal team, Vikesh’s hard work led to a successful outcome … his depth of legal knowledge and superb customer care are excellent.”[7]
Arrange a consultation
Saunders Law offers a free, no-obligation initial discussion for clients with commercial disputes. To arrange a consultation, call 020 7632 4300 or make an enquiry online. Because the firm focuses on high-value litigation, they generally accept matters worth over £250,000 and high-value debts over £100,000.[1][2]
FAQs about Saunders Law for Commercial Litigation
What is commercial litigation?
Commercial litigation refers to legal disputes between businesses where the claimant seeks compensation or specific performance of a contract. These disputes can involve contract breaches, shareholder disagreements, business torts and other commercial issues.[5]
Who does Saunders Law act for?
The firm acts for global PLCs, entrepreneurs, start-ups, diplomatic missions and charities. With a strong presence in the Middle East and Asia, Saunders Law’s clients benefit from high-level advice in cases typically worth more than £250,000.[1]
What types of disputes does the firm handle?
Saunders Law specialises in commercial contract disputes, high-value debt recovery, fraud and asset recovery, international arbitration, freezing injunctions, enforcement of foreign judgments, and professional negligence claims.[1][2][8][9][10][11][12]
What is the minimum claim size?
The firm generally accepts disputes valued over £250,000, with debt recovery cases typically starting at £100,000. For high-value contract cases, claims often start at £1 million.[1][2]
How does the firm try to resolve disputes?
The team aims to avoid costly court proceedings where possible. They first issue a letter before action to set out the claim and then seek early resolution through negotiation or ADR (mediation or arbitration). If these approaches fail, they litigate vigorously using their extensive court experience.[1]
How have the Civil Procedure Rules changed ADR?
From 1 October 2024 the Civil Procedure Rules allow courts to order parties to engage in ADR and to impose cost penalties for unreasonable refusal. The overriding objective now obliges courts to encourage ADR and includes powers to direct ADR in fast-, intermediate- and multi-track cases.[4]
What damages can I recover in a breach of contract?
Possible damages include compensatory damages for actual loss, nominal damages where no actual loss arises, an account of profits where compensatory damages are inadequate, and liquidated damages if the contract specifies a pre-agreed amount. Damages are usually based on expectation (lost profits) or reliance (wasted expenditure) losses.[3]
How long do I have to bring a breach of contract claim?
Most breach of contract claims must be brought within six years of the breach, though claims under a deed have a twelve-year limitation period. It is important to obtain legal advice promptly to preserve evidence and assess damages.[3]
What is the letter before action?
A letter before action (or letter of claim) sets out the amount owed, the reasons for the claim and a deadline for payment or remedial action. In debt recovery cases this often suffices to secure payment. The letter is required before issuing court proceedings and can prompt negotiation or settlement.[2]
Why is ADR often preferable to litigation?
ADR methods such as mediation and arbitration are generally faster, less expensive and less adversarial than court proceedings. They also keep disputes private and allow parties more control over the outcome.[1][2]
What recognition has Saunders Law received?
The firm is ranked in leading legal directories Legal 500 and Chambers & Partners for its litigation work. It has a track record of success in high-profile cases and positive client feedback highlighting its legal expertise and customer service.[1][7]
Sources
- Saunders Law. Commercial litigation page. Source
- Saunders Law. High-value debt recovery page. Source
- Saunders Law. Breach of contract page. Source
- Brecher LLP. New Civil Procedure Rules on ADR. Article
- Thomson Reuters. Introduction to commercial litigation (external summary). Article
- Wardblawg. Matthew Purcell – Top Commercial Litigation Lawyer in London, UK. Profile
- Vikesh Navsaria page. Client testimonial. Testimonial
- Saunders Law. Fraud & Asset Recovery page. Source
- Saunders Law. International Arbitration page. Source
- Saunders Law. Enforcing US & International Judgements in the UK page. Source
- Saunders Law. Freezing Injunctions & Orders page. Source
- Saunders Law. Professional negligence page. Source