Early Neutral Evaluation

Save time, manage client expectations and reduce exposure to risk before the costs escalate

Most solicitors know that the County Court system in England and Wales is broken.

To take a case from issue to trial now takes an average of 70 weeks – even for a relatively small claim.

Documents go missing. Hearings are often cancelled, or matters transferred to other courts, sometimes with very little notice. Meanwhile, your clients are not getting the resolution they want – while having to pay for the cost of this inefficiency.

It doesn’t have to be this way.

When both parties genuinely want to reach a settlement, and when both sets of legal advisors genuinely promote settlement to their clients, there is another way. We can provide Early Neutral Evaluation to give an objective assessment of likely outcomes if the matter were to proceed to trial or arbitration.

For a fixed fee starting from just £600 per party, we conduct fast evaluations and explain how a court is likely to see their case. We believe this can help both sides take stock of their positions early and seek to negotiate with confidence and reach a realistic, balanced settlement that reflects the reality of the legal landscape.

Discuss your case – get in touch or call 0191 5666500 today!

How does Early Neutral Evaluation work?

Drastically underused as a means of dispute resolution, our Early Neutral Evaluation service is conducted by Chris Clayton, a vastly-experienced Dispute Resolution Solicitor and a qualified Solicitor Advocate.

To provide a clear and objective view of how a court is likely to approach the issues at trial, Chris will conduct an independent and expert appraisal of the case. His evaluation is entirely non-binding, confidential and without prejudice, giving clients the protection they need in the unlikely event that a genuinely workable resolution cannot be found.

The process is designed to help all parties narrow issues and encourage meaningful settlement dialogue. All engagements are governed by transparent terms, including a non-compete clause, ensuring complete professional integrity and protecting your solicitor-client relationship.

Early Neutral Evaluation is particularly valuable for those assessing the cost-benefit of commencing proceedings in England and Wales from another jurisdiction. It also applies to international matters involving contracts governed by English or Welsh law, offering clarity and confidence before taking further steps.

Chris has represented clients across the country in the full range of commercial and property disputes – including:

• Commercial contract disputes
• Property, development and boundary disputes
• Adverse possession and boundary claims
• Breaches of easements and restrictive covenants
• Partnership disputes
• Shareholder and director conflicts
• Joint venture breakdowns
• Construction and building disputes
• Professional negligence claims
• Insurance coverage and indemnity disputes
• Fraud and misrepresentation claims
• Intellectual property disputes
• Defamation and reputation management issues
• Consumer rights and product liability disputes
• Agency, distribution and franchise disagreements
• Landlord and tenant issues
• Debt recovery and enforcement actions

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Settle faster & protect your client’s position

Early Neutral Evaluation is a simple, cost effective, practical solution to a genuine problem. It gives both sides an independent, expert view of how a court is likely to see their case – before the costs and risks escalate.

Confidential and non-binding, it often leads to settlement discussions within days, not months.

• Ideal for clients with entrenched & unrealistic expectations
• Reduce risk of proceeding with weak case – or abandoning strong one
• Cost-effective alternative to prolonged litigation or arbitration
• Provides informed third-party reality check that often unlocks settlement
• Entirely without prejudice, so parties can explore outcomes candidly
• Help shape settlement negotiations with authority