When a commercial relationship breaks down, the decisions made in the first days often matter more than anything that follows. Preserving documents, understanding your contractual position, and taking early advice can transform a difficult dispute into a manageable one.
The first step is always to establish the facts and the paper trail. Contemporaneous records — emails, meeting notes, signed agreements — are the foundation of any claim or defence. Preserve them carefully and avoid creating new documents in anger.
Second, understand your contract. Many disputes turn on a single clause. A clear-eyed reading of your rights and obligations, ideally with advice, tells you whether to press forward, negotiate, or resolve quietly.
Finally, consider the commercial reality. Litigation is a tool, not an end. The best result is often a negotiated one — but you negotiate from strength only when you are genuinely prepared to litigate.