Our services and professional status

The work we undertake

Our services include commercial contract advice and drafting, pre-action dispute advice and negotiation and representation in mediation, adjudication, arbitration and expert determination where the applicable law and procedure permit.

We do not conduct court proceedings or provide representation in court. Court applications, enforcement, deeds, conveyancing instruments and other work outside our scope require a separately instructed authorised provider.

Separate professional instructions

Where another professional is required, their scope and fees are agreed with you separately. You remain free to choose the provider. Any referral fee payable to Altham will be disclosed to you in writing. The separately instructed provider is responsible for its own work.

We do not provide technical expert opinions on construction delay, construction quantum or engineering causation. Appropriately qualified specialists are required for that work.

Confidentiality and legal privilege

We handle client information in accordance with our engagement terms and Privacy Notice. Confidentiality does not itself establish legal privilege. Advice provided by Altham does not attract legal advice privilege. Whether particular material attracts litigation privilege depends on the circumstances; it should not be assumed.

Client protections and complaints

The protections associated with instructing an SRA-regulated firm do not apply to Altham. There is no access to the SRA Compensation Fund for our services and complaints about our work ordinarily fall outside the Legal Ombudsman’s jurisdiction. Our Complaints Procedure explains how to raise a concern with us.

We do not hold client money. An instruction does not suspend or extend a legal or contractual deadline and no outcome or recovery is guaranteed.