Small Claims

Services Matched To The Individual case

Although the sums involved may be modest by comparison with headline cases, “small claims” disputes often have major importance for the parties involved - both as matters of principle and because the sums involved may still be significant. Such cases need not always result in litigation: alternative resolution of disputes may be found through arbitration, adjudication, mediation and negotiation. Keating Chambers' members can assist with each of these, providing advice and taking action on a scale that reflects to the issues and sums involved.

The first step is to seek professional help in making an objective assessment of the case and deciding on the most effective way forward. Our members are adept at tailoring their roles to ensure that their input is cost effective. Their work can be arranged on a “fixed fee” basis or at an agreed hourly rate – whichever best suits the circumstances and value of the claim.

Our Services In Dispute Resolution

Members of Keating Chambers provide high quality and cost effective assistance through all stages of the dispute resolution process. This includes:

representation in the County Courts for final or preliminary hearings, either in person or by telephone and drafting of paperwork for Court
representation in mediations and “without prejudice” meetings
drafting pre-action protocol correspondence and Statements of Case
acting in all stages of the adjudication process (including advising on merits and procedure, drafting written submissions at short notice, appearing at hearings before adjudicators and enforcing decisions in the Courts)
providing assistance in other methods of dispute resolution, such as the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, Surveyors and Valuers' Arbitration Scheme.

Our Range of Experience

Drawing on the core expertise of Keating Chambers in technology, construction and engineering law and the skills that provides, members of Chambers have acted in a wide variety of other areas. Our experience includes:

road traffic arbitrations
“neighbour disputes” such as tree-root encroachment, party walls, the location of boundaries, and applications under the Access to Neighbouring Land Act 1992
actions relating to leases, including possession, rent arrears, and breaches of a landlord’s obligations of repair
sale of goods claims including claims relating to defective boats, windows and furniture, and claims to title over goods supplied to a construction site
claims between builders and small businesses or residential occupiers and small claims between contractors and sub-contractors
claims under the National House-Building Council scheme and against the NHBC and claims under similar building insurance policies
appeals to county and magistrates’ courts against decisions of local authorities under the Building Act 1984 and the Housing Act 1985
debt claims (such as claims for professional fees and claims arising out of the hire of security guards), and claims for breach of contract
claims for copyright in architects’ designs
unfair dismissal claims.

Further Information
For further information on how our members can assist you, please contact the Senior Clerks, John Munton and Nick Child, in the first instance, on +44(0)20 7544 2600. They and their teams of Clerks will be pleased to advise you on the member of Keating Chambers appropriate to your requirements.