Commercial Dispute Resolution

Commercial disputes are part of doing business. Even with clear contracts and the best of intentions, disagreements happen. Whether it’s a breakdown in a shareholder relationship, tension between business partners, or an issue with a trust or insolvency matter, disputes can quickly become disruptive, expensive, and damaging to your business.

That’s where commercial disputes resolution comes in. And more specifically, that’s where Peter Shaw Mediation can help.

At Peter Shaw Mediation, we work with individuals, businesses, and organisations to resolve commercial disputes through structured and professional mediation. This approach is an alternative dispute resolution method that focuses on resolving disagreements quickly, privately, and without the high costs or long delays of court proceedings.

Let’s take a deeper look at what commercial dispute resolution really is, how it works, and why mediation is often the smartest choice for businesses looking to move forward without going to war.

Commercial disputes resolution is the process of addressing and resolving conflicts that arise in a business or commercial context. These disputes might involve company directors, shareholders, suppliers, investors, creditors, or even trust beneficiaries. The dispute could relate to breach of contract, mismanagement of funds, insolvency issues, or differences in strategy and control.

Whatever the cause, the goal is always the same—to reach a resolution that protects business interests, restores relationships where possible, and allows everyone involved to get back to focusing on growth and performance.

Traditionally, commercial disputes end up in court. But more and more people are realising that the courtroom isn’t always the best place to sort things out. Legal action takes time. It’s expensive. And it puts decision-making into the hands of a judge, rather than the people directly involved.

That’s why many now turn to mediation, a widely recognised and court-endorsed form of alternative dispute resolution.

Mediation is about helping the people involved in a dispute find common ground and reach a mutual agreement—with the support of an independent, neutral mediator. It’s informal but structured. It’s confidential, which means sensitive business matters stay behind closed doors. And it’s designed to give everyone a voice, not just their lawyers.

Peter Shaw is a professional mediator with decades of experience in commercial litigation, having previously practised as a solicitor, barrister, and King’s Counsel. He understands both the legal and commercial sides of these disputes, and more importantly, he knows how to guide people through conflict in a way that feels respectful, clear, and solution-focused.

Unlike going to court, mediation gives you more control over the outcome. You won’t be told what to do. Instead, you’ll be supported in finding an agreement that works for everyone involved.

And if you’re already in court proceedings, mediation can still be used at any stage to try and bring the case to a close—often more quickly and with far less cost.

The Process: How It Works

The process of mediation is simple and focused. Once both sides agree to mediate, Peter will arrange a mediation session at a neutral location—or online if more convenient. Ahead of the session, each party can provide a short summary of their position and what they hope to achieve.

On the day, Peter will guide the discussion, keeping things constructive and balanced. Each side gets the opportunity to speak, ask questions, and explore possible solutions. Most mediations last a single day, and many result in a written agreement by the end of the session.

If no agreement is reached, you’re still free to pursue other legal options. But in most cases, mediation delivers a resolution that both sides can accept—without needing a judge to decide for them.

At Peter Shaw Mediation, we regularly work with clients on a wide range of commercial disputes. Many of these fall into the following categories:

Shareholder Disputes: These can arise when shareholders no longer see eye to eye on how the company is run, how profits are distributed, or what strategic direction to take. It may involve concerns over the appointment of directors, unfair prejudice, or attempts to exit the business.

Business Disputes: Often between business partners or directors, these disputes can involve day-to-day management, financial disagreements, or even allegations of misconduct or breach of duty.

Trust Disputes: Where there’s a breakdown in trust—literally—between trustees and beneficiaries, or among co-trustees, mediation offers a way to resolve issues around asset management, distribution, or the interpretation of a trust deed.

Insolvency Disputes: These can be particularly complex, involving creditors, liquidators, directors, and sometimes shareholders. Issues might include claims of wrongful trading, challenges over asset distribution, or disputes about the conduct of an insolvency process.

In all these scenarios, mediation allows the parties involved to talk through their concerns and find a way forward. Sometimes that’s a new working relationship. Sometimes it’s a clean break. Either way, mediation helps avoid drawn-out litigation and gives you clarity and closure.

In business, disputes are sometimes an unfortunate part of the journey. Whether it’s partnership disputes, debt recovery, or alleged breaches involving contracts or finance, resolving disputes in a way that protects your business is key. You might be dealing with a procurement challenge, a claim of professional negligence, or even pressure from financial institutions—and these contentious matters can quickly become overwhelming, especially for small businesses.

Court proceedings can be time consuming, costly, and carry risk. That’s why at Peter Shaw Mediation, we focus on helping you find the best course of action through negotiation and mediation. We support a broad range of businesses and professionals, providing advice and practical services to develop an effective strategy for settlement. Whether one party or several are involved, we’ll help you find a clear path forward without the stress of the high court.

Peter has nearly 40 years of experience in commercial legal practice and has been recognised in The Legal 500 and Chambers and Partners as a leading professional in dispute resolution. His approach is calm, fair, and deeply informed by both legal knowledge and real-world business experience.

He’s known for being approachable, trustworthy, and skilled at dealing with complex and emotionally charged issues. Clients often say he has a gift for cutting through the noise and getting to the heart of the matter—making him an ideal mediator for commercial disputes of all sizes.

Get Help Resolving Your Commercial Dispute

If you’re facing a commercial dispute, or if you’re already tied up in a disagreement that’s getting in the way of business, now is the time to act. The sooner you explore your resolution options, the more likely you are to protect your interests and avoid unnecessary damage.

At Peter Shaw Mediation, we’ll help you take a practical, forward-thinking approach to resolving your dispute. Whether it’s about company control, financial responsibility, or trust in the people you work with, we’ll guide you through the process with professionalism, clarity, and respect.

Get in touch with us today to discuss how we can help with your commercial disputes resolution—and take the first step toward a more workable, less stressful outcome.