Welcome to the Dispute Resolution Department. The
information below offers more details about our team and
specialisms:
HOUSING
Housing Law is becoming increasing
important in society today – with more people renting,
increasing pressure being put upon landlord’s by their
own lenders, and more mortgage companies than ever
seeking possession of properties.
The Housing Department at Watson Ramsbottom is headed by
Ebrahim Foolat, a
partner in the practice. Ebrahim is assisted by
Jonathan Leach who
is a solicitor with a special interest in housing law.
Legal Aid
At Watson Ramsbottom we are one of the few law firms
in the north west that can assist tenants with public
funding, both Legal Help and full funding certificate
from the Legal Services Commission for eligible clients.
These allow us to undertake all elements of a case from
initial instructions to representation before the
courts. An assessment is made of every potential client
at the beginning of a case to ensure that we can assist
all eligible people.
Tenants
Tenants can require assistance for number of reasons
ranging from disrepair to wrongful eviction. We are
aware that many problems arise in a rental situation due
to an inability to pay the rent – be it down to losing a
job or issues with housing benefit.
We are able to assist many people in dealing with the
problems that arise in their rental situation and in may
cases can avert court action. Where court proceedings
are inevitable we aim to ensure that the judge hears
your side and where possible to reach feasible and
amicable settlements with your landlord to allow you to
remain in your home.
Landlords
In addition to helping tenants at Watson Ramsbottom
we are fully geared to seek possession of properties for
landlords. Most cases arise due to rental arrears and we
are able to assist landlords recover their properties
either by negotiating a surrender of the tenancy or by
the issue of court proceedings. Sometimes a letter is
all you need!
Home Owners
In the current financial climate mortgage and
secured loan companies are more keen than ever to make
sure that they recover money – and will follow through
to repossession proceedings if necessary.
We act for home-owners seeking advice when they fall
into arrears, or when the bank has issued court
proceedings. We can assist clients in negotiations with
their lenders, ensure the lenders adhere to the
governments Pre-Action Protocol and in certain cases
assist clients in their application for money from a
number of government schemes to help them avoid
repossession.
We are able to assist certain clients even after the
courts have ordered that they give up possession of
their home. It is possible to obtain a suspension to
those orders where a home owner can demonstrate that
they can repay the arrears on their account within a
reasonable time.
LANDLORD AND TENNANT
As well as assisting residential landlords
we are able to help commercial landlords with tenant
problems. Be it a failure to pay the rent or using the
property for banned purposes we are able to bring
solutions.
It is often key in commercial matters to make sure that
the relationship between the parties is preserved and
with this is mind we will explore all available
negotiable options as a first resort.
If it is necessary to bring a case before the courts we
are experienced in litigating these issues and have
sound knowledge of specialist surveyors and barrister to
ensure your case is presented in the most favourable
fashion.
GENERAL LITIGATION AND DISPUTE RESOLUTION
Let us help look after your interests and
where appropriate to defend them. The litigation team
will work with you to resolve your particular issue
either pre-proceedings or initiate/defend proceedings on
your behalf.
We deal with breach of contract matters; contesting
Wills, probate matters as well as claims under the
Inheritance Act; debt collection.
We will represent you as part of a team working with
Counsel (Barrister) before Tribunals, the County Court,
High Court and above.
If appropriate we will secure public funding or
alternatively look at the availability of Before the
Event insurance /After the Event insurance policies
and/or having conduct of the matter on your behalf on a
private paying basis.
To avoid proceedings we will consider with you
alternative ways of resolving the dispute by way of
mediation, arbitration to minimise costs to you.
Having obtained Judgment we can assist you with
enforcement of proceedings by way of bankruptcy/company
winding up.
PERSONAL INJURY
At Watson Ramsbottom we have over 50 years
combined experience in dealing with personal injury
cases. Whilst everyone has now heard of NO WIN NO FEE
due to cornucopia of adverts gracing the television - we
feel that a different approach is more suitable.
An injury can cause unforeseen issues in your life
beyond the obvious pain and we believe that client
require understanding personal advice and assistance
from someone trusted and local.
Your case will be handled by a solicitor who will be
sensitive to the things that you may be going through.
Many of our specialist solicitors are members of the
Association of Personal Injury Lawyers and are best placed
to offer you the help you require and recover the
compensation you deserve.
We will maximise the recovery of damages
arising as a result of loss occasioned to you caused by
a third party’s fault.
We deal with claims arising from:
- Road traffic accidents
- Accidents at work
- Tripping/slipping accidents
- Claims to the Motor Insurers Bureau (MIB).
Our aim is to maximise the recovery of damages not only
for the injuries sustained but also for other losses
arising including again:
- Loss of earnings – both past and future
- Cost of alternative transport/hire charges
- Recovery of medical expenses including
prescription charges
- Damage to personal possessions i.e. spectacles,
mobile phone, laptop
Funding of your claim is such that we expect to pay 100%
damages recovered to you . Funding is usually by way of
Before the Event or After the Event insurance on a no
win no fee basis, or other legal expense policy that you
may hold. |
