Business disputes and litigation are set to rise in the next 12 months, driven by increasing external pressures facing organisations.

New research has found that nearly half of respondents (47%) expect legal action to increase for their business, with rapid development of technology and AI the main cause of potential disputes and litigation.

According to the survey of in-house lawyers, cost pressures on businesses, increased supply chain risks and a rise in cyber-attacks also pose legal challenges to businesses across a range of sectors, including hospitality and leisure, financial services, retail and technology.

The survey found that over the next three years, more than 60% of in-house lawyers surveyed believe there will be a greater risk of commercial and contract disputes, with a similar proportion concerned about an increase in employment disputes. Data, cyber and technology disputes make up the top three concerns, with regulatory and compliance disputes also rating highly.

The findings mirror litigation trends seen over the last 12 months by businesses, with approximately half of respondents admitting that they’ve been involved in significant contractual disputes during the last year. A quarter have been involved in employment and regulatory disputes.

With businesses on high alert, the decision whether to pursue litigation will be influenced by a series of important factors. The value of the claim and the financial impact of legal action top the list of considerations, with reputational damage and the demands on an organisation’s time and resource also playing a significant part in decision-making.

Martin Pennington, dispute resolution partner at Pannone Corporate, which conducted the in-house lawyers research, commented: “Businesses across a wide range of sectors are facing increasing challenges and greater uncertainty than ever before. Those pressures are creating a more litigious environment, with disputes covering a host of business functions, whether that’s commercial and contracts, employment, IP, real estate or M&A.”

He added: “As difficult trading conditions continue, businesses will need to remain attuned to the growing risks that they face, both internal and external. As always, navigating disputes successfully is a vital component of commercial success. Early intervention and proactivity are usually rewarded in the long run. The sooner that companies examine issues which arise, the more options are typically open to them. The disputes which become more difficult to resolve are those where parties have not confronted difficulties between them early enough in the relationship, creating a more intractable situation.”

Pannone Corporate has been named as a supplier on Government Commercial Agency (GCA)’s Legal Panel for Public Sector framework for the first time, securing a place on the two Lots the firm bid for. The panel provides UK public sector organisations with access to purchase a wide range of legal services.

Pannone will provide legal services to public sector buyers across the Lots below.

• Lot 2 – Focused Legal Support
• Lot 3 – Litigation and Disputes

Paul Jonson, senior partner at Pannone, commented: “Being appointed on GCA’s legal framework is a significant achievement for the firm – one that we are extremely proud of. This demonstrates the strength of our teams and our ability to support organisations with a wide range of expertise.”

Government Commercial Agency (GCA) is the UK’s central commercial and procurement organisation, connecting public and private sectors to achieve the best outcomes for the UK and its citizens. GCA uses its commercial expertise to create a simpler procurement experience that redirects valuable resources into essential public services – creating value for the nation.

The future of one of Manchester’s oldest pubs has been secured, following a long-running legal battle with brewing giant, Heineken.

The Briton’s Protection, which is one of only three surviving city centre buildings to have stood near the site of the Peterloo Massacre, has been locked in a legal dispute over its application for a new tenancy. This follows a decision by Punch – a subsidiary of Heineken – not to renew the tenant’s lease in 2021.

The two sides have now come to a ‘positive resolution’, ending the legal battle and securing the future of the iconic pub. Pannone Corporate acted on behalf of BP Leisure Limited, owned by Frank Walsh and Mark West, providing litigation support to the pub’s owners in its bid to renew the pub’s lease.

Pannone’s Real Estate Litigation team was led by partner, Gemma Staples, with support from Jack Taylor (solicitor) and Jiho Yu (paralegal).

Gemma Staples commented: “The Briton’s Protection is a Manchester institution, with genuine historical status. BP Leisure has worked tirelessly over the last three years to secure the pub’s future. Pannone is delighted to have worked alongside them to reach an amicable agreement with Punch.

Mark West added: “This is very much a David and Goliath moment for the Manchester pub and demonstrates the value that institutions such as The Briton’s Protection bring to the regional leisure and hospitality scene.”