Commercial claims · Debt recovery · Dispute resolution
Atlas Claims is a London-based commercial claims firm acting worldwide. We bring financial discipline and negotiating experience to difficult receivables, disputed liabilities and maritime claims. Every matter is conducted on a written claims strategy, urgent matters are attended to at any hour, and our objective is resolution before court.
The firm
Atlas Claims · London
We act for creditors pursuing what they are owed, and for businesses defending claims they dispute.
Resolution by commercial settlement, with independent solicitors engaged only when court is genuinely needed.
Commercial matters exclusively, from a single overdue invoice to a portfolio of claims.
Reachable around the clock for urgent matters, time bars and legal notices.
Success, fixed or retainer: the right structure proposed after a free initial review.
A clear process from free case review to documented settlement.
One dedicated case handler from first review to final settlement.
Who we act for
Disputes have two sides, and we work on both. The method is the same: rigorous preparation, a clear view of value, and negotiation led by people who understand how finance teams and insurers decide.
Unpaid invoices, hire or freight; a counterparty who has stopped answering; a debt that is disputed, old or overseas.
A supplier demand, a disputed invoice, a legal notice or a counterclaim you believe is overstated or unfounded.
Urgent claims
In shipping and trade disputes, rights are frequently lost not on the merits but on the calendar. Contractual time bars, notice provisions and documentary deadlines can extinguish an otherwise valid claim, and a demand served on your company may require a considered response within days. Where a matter is urgent, we act on it immediately.
Upon notification of an urgent matter, Atlas Claims undertakes to:
Contact us directly, at any hour. Please have to hand the contract or charter party, the relevant invoices or laytime statement, and the most recent correspondence with the other party.
Claims strategy
Successful recovery and successful defence both rest on preparation. Before any demand is issued or any response is sent, we prepare a written claims strategy tailored to your commercial position, your counterparty and your objectives. It addresses, as a minimum, the following six matters.
An objective assessment of liability against the contract, the documents and the correspondence, identifying gaps in the evidence and how they may be closed.
A reconciled calculation of the sum claimed or defended, including laytime and demurrage, interest, costs, and any set-off or counterclaim.
Identification of every applicable time bar and notice requirement, with the dates by which action must be taken.
An assessment of the other party’s likely position, its insurers or advisers, and its practical capacity to pay or settle.
The commercial leverage available to you, the sequence of approach and a recommended settlement range.
Should negotiation fail, the available route — court, arbitration or security — with indicative cost and timing, so that each decision is an informed one.
The claims strategy is a commercial assessment prepared by a claims consultancy and does not constitute legal advice. Where legal advice is required, we will recommend that independent qualified solicitors be instructed.
Practice areas
Maritime and shipping is our founding specialism. Alongside it, we handle commercial recovery, disputed liabilities and trade disputes for businesses across sectors.
Demurrage and laytime, bunker quality and quantity, charter party and hire disputes, freight, and claims against suppliers and agents, for owners, charterers and operators.
Explore the practiceOverdue B2B invoices in the UK and abroad, including aged, large and contested receivables.
Explore the practiceDefending businesses against overstated demands, legal notices and counterclaims, to a fair settlement.
Explore the practice
Non-delivery, quality and quantity claims, price and termination disputes between buyers, sellers, traders and distributors across borders.
Explore the practiceAn independent view of merits, quantum, time bars and recoverability.
We lead talks with management, finance teams and insurers.
Submissions, quantum and bundles for LMAA and commercial arbitration.
Solvency and business information, so we pursue what can be paid.
Sectors
We act for businesses wherever goods, services and money cross borders, on both sides of the dispute.
“A strong claim is not enough. It has to be prepared, valued and presented in a way the other side cannot reasonably ignore.”How we approach every matter
Global reach
Trade and shipping disputes rarely stay in one country. We act on matters connected to the world's major ports and trading centres, and engage independent local counsel and agents where a matter needs presence on the ground.
Discuss a cross-border matterOur approach
A clear process, regular reporting and no surprises on cost. Watch the 30-second overview, or read the stages below.
The full processHow we work · 30 seconds · no sound needed
Send us the contract, invoices and correspondence. We assess merits, time bars and recoverability at no cost.
A written engagement letter sets out the strategy and the fee. Nothing starts without your approval.
We organise the evidence, build the calculations and prepare a clear demand or response.
We deal directly with the other side, their insurers or advisers, and press for a commercial settlement.
We document the settlement. If court or arbitration is needed, we coordinate independent solicitors.
Typical matters
Every dispute is different, but most follow recognisable patterns. These scenarios show how we typically work.
A shipowner's demurrage invoice remains unpaid. The charterer disputes the notice of readiness and several deductions, and the contractual time bar is approaching.
A company receives a formal demand from a supplier. Part of the invoice is genuine, but quantities, quality and charges are disputed.
An exporter has delivered several shipments to a buyer abroad. Payments slowed, then stopped, and emails now go unanswered.
A service provider has completed the work, but the client is holding back the final payment and retention, citing minor defects.
These are illustrative, anonymised scenarios describing our typical approach. They are not specific client cases, and outcomes always depend on the facts of each matter.
Why settle before court
Court and arbitration remain available if talks fail. In most commercial disputes, a well-prepared negotiation achieves a better net result.
Timeframes are indicative and depend on the matter and the other party.
Fees
Every matter is different, so we do not apply a one-size tariff. Your initial case review is free. Once we understand the details, we propose the fee structure that best suits the claim, and it is confirmed in writing before any work begins.
Results-linked
Aligned with the outcome
A fee linked to the amount recovered, or to the amount saved where you are facing a claim. Depending on the matter, it may be combined with a modest initial or fixed element.
Portfolios
For a continuous flow of claims
An outsourced claims desk for companies with recurring receivables or disputes. A fixed monthly fee covers case handling and follow-up, with a reduced success fee on results.
Defined work
For specific pieces of work
A set price for a defined task, such as a claim valuation, a laytime calculation, a claim file or a response to a legal notice.
How fees are agreed: the initial case review is free and without obligation. After reviewing the details, we recommend the most suitable structure, or a combination, and set it out in an engagement letter for your approval. Third-party costs, such as solicitors, local agents, surveyors, translation, or court and arbitration fees, are incurred only with your prior written approval. Recovered funds are paid directly to you, or through a solicitor's client account, unless agreed otherwise in writing. Fees are subject to VAT where applicable.
Our standards
If we do not believe a claim is worth pursuing, we say so, before you commit to anything.
Scope, fees and costs agreed in an engagement letter before any work begins.
Firm negotiation, never harassment, pressure tactics or empty threats.
No settlement is agreed on your behalf without your prior sign-off.
Your matter stays private. NDAs available on request.
Urgent matters answered 24/7; standard enquiries within one business day.
Insights
Short, plain-English guides on the questions our clients ask most.
When a notice of readiness is valid, what makes an "arrived ship", WIBON and WIPON clauses, and what an invalid NOR does to laytime and demurrage.
Read the guideWho the "shipping company" is, the scope and phase-in, BIMCO's ETS clauses and the disputes we see over emission allowances.
Read the guideRetention of title, proofs of debt, set-off, the continued supply rules, VAT bad debt relief and guarantees, for UK suppliers.
Read the guideFAQ
If your question is not covered here, message us. We reply to urgent matters at any hour.
Yes. Urgent matters may be raised 24 hours a day, 7 days a week by WhatsApp or telephone on +44 7429 535705. On notification we identify the operative deadline, confirm in writing the commercial steps required to preserve your position and, where formal notices, proceedings or arbitration are required, coordinate with independent qualified solicitors without delay, subject to your prior approval.
Before any demand is issued or any response is sent, we prepare a written claims strategy addressing the merits and evidence, quantum, every applicable time bar and notice requirement, the counterparty’s position and ability to pay, the available negotiating leverage, a recommended settlement range and the escalation route should negotiation fail. The strategy is a commercial assessment and does not constitute legal advice.
No. Atlas Claims is a commercial claims and recovery consultancy. We do not conduct litigation or represent clients in court. Our work is claim preparation, negotiation and settlement before court. If a matter needs court proceedings, we coordinate with independent qualified solicitors on your behalf.
We offer three fee structures: a success fee linked to the amount recovered or saved, a fixed fee for defined work, and a monthly retainer for a continuous flow of claims. Your initial case review is free and without obligation. Once we have reviewed the details, we propose the structure best suited to your matter, and it is agreed in writing before any work begins. Third-party costs such as solicitors, surveyors or court fees are only incurred with your prior written approval.
Yes. The initial review of your matter is free and confidential, and there is no obligation to proceed. It gives you our honest view of the claim and, if it makes sense to continue, a clear fee proposal.
Yes. We act for businesses facing disputed invoices, supplier demands, legal notices or counterclaims. We review the claim, identify weaknesses, set-offs and counterclaims, and negotiate a reduced or structured settlement. In these matters our success fee is based on the amount saved.
We are based in London and act worldwide, including Europe, the Middle East, Asia, Africa and the Americas. Where a matter needs on-the-ground support, we engage independent local counsel or agents with your approval.
No. We act only on business-to-business matters. We do not collect consumer debts or provide claims management services in regulated consumer sectors.
For urgent matters we are available 24/7 by WhatsApp or phone on +44 7429 535705. For standard enquiries we aim to respond within one business day, and we can usually begin as soon as the engagement letter is signed.
Yes. Everything you share is treated in strict confidence and processed under UK data protection law. We are happy to sign a non-disclosure agreement before you share documents.
We look at each matter on its merits. The claim needs to be large enough, and recoverable enough, to justify the work and cost involved. The initial review will tell you honestly whether it is.
Free case review
Send us the key documents for a free, confidential review. For anything urgent, message us on WhatsApp at any hour.
Contact
The review is free and confidential. Time bars and payment deadlines matter, so contact us early. For anything urgent, message us on WhatsApp at any hour.
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