Legal Services

Dispute Resolution
and Litigation

What we do

Resolving disputes with
clarity and confidence.

We advise businesses, financial institutions, insurers, public sector bodies and private clients in complex disputes across Northern Ireland and beyond. Our litigation and dispute resolution team has extensive experience acting in high-value and strategically significant matters before every level of the courts and tribunals, as well as in mediation and other forms of alternative dispute resolution. Working within a partner-led model, we take the time to understand the issues at the heart of every dispute, the commercial and practical challenges our clients face and what a successful outcome looks like from their perspective.

This enables us to develop strategies bespoke to each client’s objectives, balancing legal, commercial and reputational considerations to deliver pragmatic, cost effective solutions. We understand the challenges that disputes present and work collaboratively with clients to manage risk, protect their interests and achieve the most effective outcome.

Our expertise spans a broad range of contentious matters, including contractual disputes, banking and finance litigation, shareholder and partnership disputes, administration of estates/probate disputes, professional negligence claims, landlord and tenant disputes, Judicial Review, injunctions, defamation, intellectual property matters, social media and reputation management issues, and personal injury litigation.

Consistently recognised by independent legal directories for our technical expertise, strategic insight and responsive service, we are trusted to advise on disputes that are critical to our clients’ businesses and reputations, guiding them from the earliest stages of a dispute through to resolution.

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Common questions

If I am involved in a dispute will I have to go to Court?

Possibly but not definitely - a lot depends on the nature of the dispute, the remedy you are looking for, your aims and objectives. The process usually has various stages all of which present an opportunity of resolution or at the very least a narrowing of the issues in dispute - correspondence, negotiations and discussion, mediation and possibly Court proceedings. Our expert team of litigation solicitors will guide you through the process at every stage with the aim of delivering a solution that meets your requirements.

Who pays the costs?

The general rule in relation to legal proceedings is that the loser pays. However, this general rule is subject to what happens in the course of litigation with the Court having the ultimate determination and discretion. As regards costs in disputes that are not the subject of legal proceedings, cost recovery is quite often a matter for negotiation. Our team of experts working collaboratively with colleagues in our other specialist departments will advise on strategies and processes that have the potential to limit cost exposure in litigation.

How long will it take to solve my dispute?

A commonly raised question that is unfortunately difficult to answer definitively due to the variables that feature in contentious matters. These variables include the nature of the dispute, the issues, the remedies, the parties and their objectives and impact directly on how long it takes to conclude a dispute. Our highly experienced solicitors will advise and guide you as to what will be involved for you and based on their knowledge and experience, how long the process might take for you.

What will be required from me?

As a party to a dispute, you will provide the facts, the documentation and with our expert input, instructions as to how you wish to proceed. You will have discussions with us on the merits of the dispute, potential outcome, funding options and procedure. You will have the benefit of our periodical reviews and as it is your case, we work together with you along the way.

What is disclosure?

Disclosure is the strict obligation on all parties to a dispute in legal proceedings to provide all documentation and material that is relevant to the issues in dispute, regardless of whether it supports or damages the case being made. Disclosure can be ordered by a Court in advance of proceedings, in the course of proceedings and even against parties that are not directly involved in the dispute. In legal proceedings it is governed by the applicable rules of the Court. Disclosure can be crucial in progressing matters and is of the upmost importance that all documents and materials relevant to the issues in dispute are preserved until final determination of the dispute. Disclosure obligations are strict and wide-ranging including all types of documentation and records - typed, written and electronically/digitally held, minutes, memos, texts, WhatsApp messages and all forms of social media communications, diaries, photographs, maps, plans, drawings, recordings and videos. Our litigation specialists will be on hand throughout your engagement with us to advise and guide you on disclosure including all aspects of procedure, privilege, relevancy and remedies.

Specialist team