Greenwoods Solicitors

Greenwoods acts for clients across all sectors of the property market, involving government buildings, retail outlets, office buildings, hotels and residential developments. We have a long track record of assisting both owners and their insurers in resolving issues relating to property, without
undermining the ongoing relationship on which cover for a wide portfolio of
properties might rest.

In policy cover issues, we can ensure that any dispute is addressed purposefully and constructively, respecting that both parties to the insurance contract will wish to avoid protracted litigation and to observe principles of fairness in their dealings.

Where technical issues are concerned, clients can be confident that our lawyers have always been at the forefront of the legal issues arising from new developments in building services and M&E, from which so many issues arise.

In personal injury claims, property owners, tenants, property managers and their subcontractors may be involved in the litigation. In many instances, there may be leases and contracts with indemnity clauses seeking to place liability on one party. Greenwoods has a dedicated team experienced at cutting through the legal maze to achieve cost effective and commercial solutions as quickly as possible.

We also defend clients facing prosecution under health and safety regulations. Our Health & Safety team is an acknowledged leader in the defence of manslaughter, health and safety and other regulatory prosecutions.

We advise on all aspects of property ownership from specific incidences to risk management and prevention, including:

• contractual position between the parties, including leases and indemnity clauses and the situation if there is no written agreement
• obligations of the owner and facilities/property manager and of any subcontractors and employers
• policy coverage including joint policies of insurance
• personal injury claims and handling these cost effectively
• responsibilities of the various parties under health and safety law including the possibility of any prosecution and the defence of prosecutions
• the need for expert liability evidence and whether this can be dealt with jointly
• preservation of evidence and the duties of disclosure on all parties

In litigation, Greenwoods is skilled at liaising with all parties and maintaining ongoing commercial relationships between them. Where appropriate, we aim to settle disputes using Alternative Dispute Resolution either in a formal arena of mediation or arbitration or on an informal basis by means of joint settlement meetings.