Our dispute resolution team assess at the start the need for an emergency court application usually to obtain an injunction requiring someone to do something or not to do something. Where fraud is strongly suspected and asset tracing is involved our dispute resolution team may have to apply for a search and seizure order, a freezing order or other injunctive relief.

It is sometimes imperative in your interests to take steps to protect confidential information, to preserve crucial evidence, to prevent some irretrievable damage or the removal from England of the asset or funds in dispute. Such applications often have to be co-ordinated with applications in other jurisdictions.

These measures, where surprise is everything, can involve investigatory work, with forensic accountants or private investigators. While this may entail front-loading of fees and the process can be protracted and expensive, taking emergency measures will often bear fruit at an early stage and thus reduce the overall potential cost. Our dispute resolution team also keeps a constant eye, within the litigation or other dispute-resolution mechanism, for methods of bringing the dispute to an early conclusion on satisfactory terms.

Conversely our dispute resolution team may be asked to respond to an injunction – possibly a freezing order where the use of a bank account is prevented by the court or a search and seizure order when your office or home is subjected to a search authorised by the court. If your ability to use your own funds has been restricted by the Court our dispute resolution team works effectively in circumstances which can be challenging.