Settlement achieved in business technology dispute
Commercial disputes can arise in many forms and often have significant financial, operational and reputational consequences for businesses. Our Litigation & Dispute Resolution team advises clients on a wide range of commercial disagreements, including contractual disputes, professional negligence claims, shareholder disputes and technology-related issues. This case highlights how we helped a business resolve a complex dispute involving a website and CRM development project, achieving a successful settlement without the need for contested court proceedings.
Our client’s case
Our client operated a successful private business that relied heavily on its online presence to generate enquiries and support its commercial activities.
The client instructed a technology provider to design and develop a bespoke website and customer relationship management (CRM) system intended to modernise and expand the business’s digital offering.
Following implementation of the new platform, serious issues arose which affected the functionality of the website and the business’s online visibility. Website traffic reduced significantly and the business lost the benefit of its established online presence. The client was ultimately required to commission a replacement website from another provider and move to a new web domain, resulting in substantial additional cost and disruption to the business.
The situation became increasingly serious when the business was forced to move away from its established online presence and incur the cost of developing an entirely new website with a different provider. The dispute ultimately involved allegations of breach of contract, significant claimed financial losses, specialist expert evidence and complex technical issues concerning website development, CRM integration and search engine performance.
How we helped
Our Litigation & Dispute Resolution team worked closely with the client to understand both the technical issues and the wider commercial impact on the business.
We reviewed extensive contractual, technical and financial documentation, investigated the concerns raised by the client and engaged in detailed correspondence with the opposing party. We also advised on the strengths and risks of the claim, gathered supporting evidence and prepared the matter for potential court proceedings.
Throughout the dispute, we remained focused on achieving the best commercial outcome possible. We assisted the client through mediation preparations and continued negotiations with the opposing party in an effort to resolve the matter without the need for a lengthy and costly trial.
A successful outcome
Following extensive negotiations, a settlement was successfully achieved, bringing the dispute to a conclusion without the need for contested court proceedings.
The agreement provided the client with certainty, avoided the additional costs and risks associated with ongoing litigation, and enabled them to focus on rebuilding and moving their business forward.
Client feedback
Our client provided the following feedback: “Throughout a long and complex legal IT compensation claim, the team at Fosters provided excellent guidance and maintained our focus and confidence in reaching a successful outcome.”
Danielle Lynch, Litigation Executive, said: “When technology projects fail, the consequences for a business can be far-reaching. In this case, the client experienced significant disruption to its online presence and was ultimately required to invest in an entirely new platform. After several years of dispute, extensive expert evidence and detailed negotiations, we were delighted to help the client achieve a successful settlement and move forward with certainty.”
Business technology dispute specialists
Disputes involving websites, CRM systems, software development projects and other technology services can have a significant impact on a business. Our Litigation & Dispute Resolution team has experience advising clients in relation to complex contractual and technology-related disputes and works to achieve practical, commercially focused outcomes wherever possible.
Recommended in The Legal 500 UK 2027 in four categories, our specialist dispute resolution team including Danielle Lynch are recognised for their work in this area. Our focus is always on achieving the best possible outcome as quickly and cost-effectively as circumstances allow.
If you require advice regarding a business technology dispute, please do not hesitate to contact our team.
