For You

Construction & Home Building Disputes

Our Services
How We Help
Disputes Legal Team
Joseph Oates

Joseph Oates

Partner

Dispute Resolution, Employment and Insolvency

Head of our Contentious Department, Joseph Oates, joined CooperBurnett in 1999 and has been on the management board since 2003, after becoming an equity partner in 2002.

David Brown

David Brown

Partner

Construction, Dispute Resolution, Commercial Property Disputes, Insolvency, Property Disputes and Personal Disputes

David joined CooperBurnett LLP in March 2023 to launch and head up our Construction group. He is a member of The Technology and Construction Solicitors Association.

Stuart Merrison

Stuart Merrison

Senior Associate

Dispute Resolution, Personal Disputes, Property Disputes, Commercial Property Disputes and Commercial Property & Development

Experienced Litigator Stuart Merrison became part of team CooperBurnett as a Senior Associate in March 2026 specialising in Property Litigation and working in the team lead by Partner John Spence.

Elizabeth Elbe

Elizabeth Elbe

Paralegal

Commercial Property Disputes, Construction, Property Disputes

Elizabeth Elbe joined CooperBurnett LLP in the summer of 2024 as a paralegal in our Litigation team, primarily working with Partners David Brown (Construction) and John Spence (Property Litigation).

Disputes Team

For Individuals

Here to help you with Personal Disputes

Our experienced team is ready to provide advice on all manner of private disputes in Kent and Sussex. Life can be trying sometimes. When issues get out of hand, our Personal Disputes team can help you with everything from probate disputes to personal injury claims.

Construction & Home Building Disputes

Construction & Home Building Disputes Legal Services - Kent, Sussex & Surrey

Our experienced Dispute Resolution team advises homeowners on a wide range of construction and home improvement disputes.

We understand the disruption that building disputes can cause and provide clear, practical advice aimed at achieving a swift and cost-effective resolution.

Many construction disputes can be avoided through careful planning and the use of a well-drafted building contract. Before works commence, it is important that the parties have a clear written agreement dealing with matters such as the scope of works, payment schedules, variations, completion dates, quality standards and procedures for resolving disputes. We can advise homeowners on appropriate construction contracts and help put robust contractual arrangements in place from the outset, reducing the likelihood of costly disputes arising later.

Where possible, we seek to resolve disputes through negotiation, correspondence and alternative dispute resolution methods such as mediation. However, where formal action is required, we can assist clients in pursuing or defending court proceedings to protect their interests and recover losses.

Building disputes often arise from misunderstandings regarding the scope of works, quality of workmanship, timescales or costs. Our team can help you understand your legal position, evaluate your options and work towards a resolution that protects both your property and your investment. We can also provide preventative advice before a project begins, helping you put in place the right contractual protections from the outset.

Whether you are experiencing problems with a builder, concerns about the quality of work carried out to your home or wish to ensure that your project is supported by an appropriate construction contract before works commence, our team is here to help.

Get In Touch

We are based in central Tunbridge Wells and offer parking onsite. If you are travelling by train, there is a frequent service from London and Hastings to Tunbridge Wells; we are located a five-minute walk from the station.

Napier House, 14-16 Mount Ephraim Road,
Tunbridge Wells, Kent, TN1 1EE

Phone: 01892 515022
Fax: 01892 515088

enquiries@cooperburnett.com


Contact Our Team
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