Civil and Commercial Litigation Attorneys
Strategic dispute advice for businesses and individuals.
Sarah Alison Attorneys assists businesses and individuals with the assessment, strategy and conduct of civil and commercial disputes from our Durban and Johannesburg offices. Our approach is built on proportionate strategy, careful preparation and clear advice, not aggression or guaranteed outcomes.
In Short
Sarah Alison Attorneys handles civil and commercial litigation for clients in Durban and Johannesburg — from claims, defences and urgent applications to shareholder disputes — building evidence-led, proportionate strategy rather than defaulting to court.
Our Approach
A Dispute Strategy Built Around the Real Objective
Litigation strategy begins with the facts, the legal position, the available evidence, urgency and the practical, commercial or personal objective behind the matter — including whether a result can realistically be enforced.
Negotiation, mediation or arbitration are sometimes more appropriate than court proceedings, and we assess this honestly rather than defaulting to litigation. Early advice matters, particularly where deadlines or urgent relief may be relevant.
This page provides general information only and does not calculate prescription periods, procedural deadlines or prospects of success. Please obtain matter-specific legal advice.
Our Services
Our Civil and Commercial Litigation Services
Explore the service most relevant to your dispute, or contact us if you are unsure which route applies.
Commercial Disputes
Commercial Disputes Require Legal
and Business Judgment
Commercial disputes can affect cash flow, operations, governance, reputation, ongoing relationships and future transactions, so legal action needs to align with the client's wider business objective. Depending on the matter, this may include contractual disputes, shareholder and director disputes, partnership or joint-venture disputes, supply and distribution disagreements, commercial lease disputes and business-to-business claims.
Civil Disputes
Clear Guidance Through Civil Disputes
Civil matters require careful assessment of rights, obligations, evidence, procedure, costs and available remedies. Depending on the matter, this may include claims arising from agreements or obligations, property-related civil disputes, interdictory relief, and the enforcement or defence of civil claims, together with settlement negotiation where appropriate.
Early Advice
Why Early Assessment Can Change
the Available Options
Delays can affect evidence, commercial leverage, procedural options and legal time limits. If you have a known deadline, notice, hearing date or threatened action, please identify it when you contact us. We cannot state a universal prescription or filing period on this page, and submitting an enquiry does not suspend or protect a deadline — if your matter is time-sensitive, please telephone the relevant office directly.
Our Process
How a Litigation Matter May Progress
The exact sequence varies by facts, forum, procedure and strategy.
Initial Assessment
We review the parties, facts, documents, objective, urgency, jurisdiction and potential conflicts.
Strategy & Pre-Litigation Action
We assess correspondence, demand, negotiation, preservation of evidence and alternative resolution where appropriate.
Proceedings & Evidence
We prepare or respond to the appropriate process, manage evidence and coordinate required professional input.
Strategic Decisions
We address procedural developments, settlement opportunities, costs and changing risk.
Resolution or Enforcement
We proceed toward hearing, negotiated resolution or enforcement as the matter requires.
Beyond the Courtroom
Court Proceedings Are One Part
of Dispute Strategy
A credible litigation position can support negotiation, while mediation or arbitration may offer different benefits depending on confidentiality, speed, expertise, enforceability, cost and the parties' relationship. We do not treat any single route as universally faster, cheaper or better — each option is evaluated on the facts of the matter.
Who We Assist
Clients Served in Litigation Matters
We adapt our communication and strategy to the client, while maintaining the same professional standard for a commercial organisation as for an individual.
Preparation
Preparation Begins with
the Right Information
Useful initial information may include a chronology, party names, agreements, correspondence, notices, orders and invoices or other relevant records. Please do not alter, annotate or destroy original evidence, and avoid sending confidential document bundles through our public enquiry form — once we have completed conflict and suitability checks, we will provide a secure route for sharing documents.
Costs & Risk
Understanding Litigation Cost and Risk
Cost depends on complexity, urgency, evidence, the number of parties, procedural steps, opponent conduct, counsel and experts, and whether a matter resolves early or proceeds further. We do not publish a universal litigation price, and a favourable costs order will not necessarily reimburse all legal fees or guarantee recovery from an opponent. Professional fees, disbursements and potential adverse-cost exposure are discussed for your specific matter.
Why Sarah Alison Attorneys
Litigation Advice with Strategic Discipline
Objective Assessment
We evaluate strengths, weaknesses, evidence, proportionality and enforceability before recommending a route.
Commercial Perspective
Strategy considers operational and relationship consequences, not only the legal position.
Thorough Preparation
We maintain a disciplined approach to chronology, evidence, pleadings, deadlines and matter review.
Clear Communication
We report on real progress and decisions rather than leaving clients to guess at the status of a matter.
FAQ
Civil and Commercial Litigation Questions
What is the difference between civil and commercial litigation?
Commercial litigation generally concerns disputes arising in business relationships, while civil litigation covers a broader range of non-criminal disputes involving individuals or entities. The two can overlap, and proper classification depends on the facts.
Should every dispute go to court?
No. Negotiation, mediation, arbitration or litigation may each be appropriate depending on the matter, and we assess this as part of our strategy.
What should I bring to an initial litigation consultation?
A chronology, the parties involved, key documents and any known deadlines are helpful. Please don't upload confidential documents through the public enquiry form.
How long does litigation take?
Timing depends on the forum, procedure, complexity and the parties' conduct, so we cannot give a universal estimate.
How much does litigation cost?
Cost depends on complexity, urgency, evidence and procedural steps. We discuss the likely fee basis for your specific matter during consultation.
Can the firm assist with an urgent application?
Urgency, availability, conflicts and the information provided must be assessed immediately — please telephone the relevant office for time-sensitive matters.
Which courts or forums may hear my dispute?
Jurisdiction depends on the parties, facts and relief sought, and must be properly assessed rather than answered generally online.
Does sending an enquiry protect a legal deadline?
No. The firm must formally accept instructions and provide matter-specific advice before any deadline can be addressed.
Get in Touch
Discuss Your Dispute with Our Litigation Team
Tell us briefly about the parties involved, the issue and any known dates, and select your preferred office. We must assess conflicts, urgency and suitability before confirming a consultation or accepting instructions.