Litigation & Arbitration
Commercial disputes before national courts, international arbitration, mediation and the enforcement of judgments across Europe.
A dispute is a business problem before it is a legal one. Our first task is to tell you what the claim is realistically worth, what it will cost to pursue or defend, and how long it will take — and then to give you the option of settling on terms you would accept. When a case must be fought, we prepare it properly and we appear in court ourselves.
What this area covers
- Commercial and contractual disputes before Belgian, Dutch, Luxembourg and Italian courts
- International arbitration under ICC, CEPANI, NAI and UNCITRAL rules
- Urgent relief: attachments, injunctions and summary proceedings (kort geding, référé)
- Shareholder, joint venture and post-acquisition warranty disputes
- Professional liability and product liability claims
- Recognition and enforcement of judgments and awards across the EU
Situations clients bring us
A counterparty has stopped paying or stopped performing
We assess the contract and the evidence, send a demand that means something, and advise on interim measures — a conservatory attachment early is often worth more than a judgment two years later.
You have been served with proceedings
Deadlines in civil procedure are short and unforgiving. We take over the procedural calendar immediately, assess jurisdiction and the merits, and tell you within days whether to defend, counterclaim or settle.
Your contract has an arbitration clause
We act as counsel in institutional and ad hoc arbitration, and advise on seat, arbitrator selection and the enforceability of an award in the countries where the other side holds assets.
How we work
- A written case assessment with a costs estimate and an honest view of prospects, before you commit.
- Settlement is reviewed at each stage; we will tell you when continuing is no longer economic.
- Hearings are conducted by the partner who knows the file, in the language of the court.
The European dimension
Where cross-border practice makes the difference
Brussels I recast, the Service and Evidence Regulations and the New York Convention make European enforcement workable — provided jurisdiction and service are handled correctly at the outset. Much of our work involves claims where parties, assets and the governing law sit in three different countries, and where the decisive question is which court hears the case first.
Questions about litigation & arbitration
Talk to a lawyer about litigation & arbitration
An initial consultation of up to forty-five minutes is charged at a fixed fee of €150 excluding VAT, and waived where we go on to act for you on the same matter.