Our Services

Property

* Commercial

Our commercial property department comprises respected legal experts with decades of experience in sales and acquisitions, investments, business relocations, commercial landlord and tenant and estate management.

* Development

We are well known for dealing with complex and high profile transactions, including the acquisition and disposal of land for development, the planning process and selling on plots to “end users.”

* Residential

Buying and selling a residence is potentially the biggest financial lifetime commitment and we aim for the experience to be as comfortable and as trouble-free as possible. On a daily basis, we deal with house and flat purchases, re-mortgages, the transfer of equity and residential tenancies.

* Enfranchisement

Lease extensions and freehold acquisitions pursuant to legislation.
We are members of the Association of Leasehold Enfranchisement Practitioners, or ALEP, which guarantees a consistently high level of service, integrity and professionalism.

Company and commercial

With consultant resources having City experience we can bring City expertise and knowledge at local rates.

We act for businesses and entrepreneurs of all shapes and sizes, in matters which range from relatively simple to complex.

We are proactive and practical.

We advise on the legal considerations affecting all businesses, including:

* terms and conditions of trading
* buying and selling companies and businesses
* private equity funding and joint ventures; drafting and negotiating investment agreements, shareholder agreements and ancillary documentation in relation to start ups and joint venture companies, later stage investments and exits; undertaking due diligence and verification
* advising on shareholder agreements and shareholder disputes
* agency and distribution agreements
* partnership and limited liability partnership agreements
* insolvency advice
* IT and software agreements and commercial licences
* acting for employers and employees in employment matters; drafting contracts of employment, grievance and disciplinary policies, drafting and negotiating compromise agreements

Litigation (Courts/Arbitration/Adjudication/Alternative Dispute Resolution)

A department that aims to achieve an efficient and speedy resolution to disputes based on giving sensible, commercial advice.

We have an ability to determine the core issues of each claim at speed, and to plan a clear strategy that results in a commercial benefit for our clients. Wherever possible (with our help) try and avoid the disruption and cost of litigation. Where, however, court proceedings are necessary we will pursue them to try and achieve clients’ objectives.

Each claim has different challenges which we meet head on in an innovative and forward thinking manner.

We keep our knowledge and skill set up to date through effective training on current legislation and law and procedure.

With a mix of skilled negotiators and pre-emptive action we ensure our clients receive measured and satisfactory results.

We cover most litigation areas, in particular (but not exhaustive):

· Non-payment (for goods, professional services, building work, unpaid rent or property purchases)
· Unsatisfactory quality of goods, professional services
· Breaches of obligations - in lease or tenancy agreements or in general commercial agreements
· Injunctions
· Employment disputes - unfair dismissal, discrimination (racial, sexual, religious or other), restrictive covenants
· Enforcing Court judgements in favour of the client
· Insolvency proceedings
· Construction Litigation
· Commercial disputes
· Property disputes
· Landlord and Tenant disputes
Debt Recovery

Our computerised Debt Recovery Unit is recognised as one of the market leaders in the field of bulk collections for commercial clients.  As one of the largest issuers of proceedings in the West London County court the unit deals with the recovery of millions of pounds of debt on an annual basis.

Our highly efficient system aims to provide a speedy and cost-effective service to clients, leading to the early recovery of debts. The high volume of commercial debts dealt with by the unit means that the cost is limited to a fixed fee per case based on scale costs.

In addition to issuing proceedings out of the West London Court we also issue Statutory Demands, winding-up and bankruptcy petitions for debts over £750. The cost of insolvency proceedings tends to be higher than the cost of litigation.  The devastating effect on a debtor, however, of a successful petition usually ensures rapid results.

Should an action be defended, we utilise the expertise of our litigation department. In these circumstances, we revert to the usual client/time recorded basis.  Hourly rates vary depending on the complexity of the action and the staff member assigned to deal with the matter. 

Matrimonial

Without question there can be no more sensitive area of the law than matrimonial difficulties.

Care and consideration has to be taken at all times regardless of whether one is dealing with adults in the process of divorce or any children involved.

We will endeavour to find resolutions as quickly as possible in a constructive and helpful manner on matters as diverse as divorce decrees, disputed financial claims as a result of a marriage break up, the complexities of international and cross border issues and residential and contact problems and disputes relating to the welfare of children.

Private Clients

We all need protection regardless of our age or circumstance.

BACI can help you draft a will to ensure your finances and estate go where you want them to and not where the State deems appropriate. Without a will your estate goes into intestacy, which means that the State will determine how your assets are divided so we will draft your will and provide associated advice on the crucial area of financial planning. A will drafted by us can take care of all of your needs at whatever your stage of life.

BACI also offer a full Probate and Administration of Estate services so that you can be confident that you know exactly what will happen to your estate, both financial and material, in the event of death. We will ensure that all formalities are carried out expeditiously and in the correct manner.

We also advise on related elderly person issues including Enduring and Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA). Without an LPA, if you have an accident and become mentally incapacitated, have a stroke or suffer from any form of premature or senile dementia the court will organise and control your assets. By allowing us to set up an LPA you are able to choose the people to manage your affairs if you no longer have the ability to do so.