Dispute Resolution Guide
2012

Courtenay Coye LLP

Our firm provides local companies, international law firms, banks and other financial institutions, trust companies, and private individuals with expert advice on Belizean law.

We offer a full range of services in contentious disputes in the courts in Belize in arbitrations and in other tribunals and inquiries. We have particular expertise in the handling of complex commercial litigation including cases involving multiple parties, many witnesses or the evidence is of a technical nature.

As a common law jurisdiction, many of the remedies which are used in England such as freezing injunctions and Norwich Pharmacal orders are utilised in Belize. We appear in the Supreme Court, Court of Appeal and in appeals to the Caribbean Court of Justice (‘CCJ’) located in Trinidad, which is the highest appellate court.

Since the inception of the CCJ, Courtenay Coye LLP appeared in the second substantive appeal from Belize to be argued before the CCJ. Courtenay Coye LLP has also represented clients on interlocutory applications before the CCJ.

Courtenay Coye LLP appeared in the only extradition appeal from Belize to go to the Privy Council. It was a landmark decision and future appeals will go to the Caribbean Court of Justice.

Mr Courtenay, in particular, has advised in matters relating to international law as he was a member of the team of attorneys-at-law that presented the case for the government of Belize in the facilitation process between Belize and Guatemala when both governments sought a peaceful resolution of the claim by Guatemala to Belizean Territory.

He also served as honorary legal adviser to the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies based in Geneva, Switzerland.

Website: www.courtenaycoye.com

Campbells

The Firm:

Campbells is one of the leading law firms in the Cayman Islands, with more than 40 years’ experience advising local and international clients. Our lawyers are recognised for their expertise by the leading directories and trade press (including Euromoney and World Finance Magazine) and we regularly advise some of the biggest names in finance, investment and insurance on local and offshore work. Our litigation practice is one of the strongest in the Cayman Islands and we are regularly instructed on the most high profile and complex cases in the jurisdiction.

Litigation:

Campbells is widely recognised for its litigation strength and has particular expertise in investment funds disputes and all aspects of the liquidations of investment funds. Members of the department appear before the Grand Court, Court of Appeal and Privy Council and have been involved in numerous reported cases. Clients range from large international, financial and trading organisations to liquidators and trustees in bankruptcy of international and local entities, participants in investment and trust structures and Cayman Islands Government Agencies. In particular, we have substantial experience acting for liquidators, creditors and shareholders of distressed companies in cross border liquidations and corporate reorganisations, as well as acting for the local restructuring departments of the major accounting firms.

Our litigators also regularly appear as expert witnesses and speak at local and international conferences, and a number of our lawyers are admitted to practise in the BVI.

Department head Ross McDonough has practised at the Cayman bar for 18 years and is ranked band 1 in the Chambers and Partners Guide 2012. Alistair Walters earns praise for his vast contentious experience relating to banking, finance and trusts and is an accredited mediator and certified fraud examiner. Guy Manning is a specialist insolvency litigator. Barrister Kirsten Houghton has a broad commercial dispute resolution practice and is a chartered arbitrator and also an accredited mediator.

Website: www.campbells.com.ky

LARREÁTEGUI, MEYHTALER & ZAMBRANO ABOGADOS

Larreátegui, Meythaler & Zambrano Abogados is one of the firms with more experience in Ecuador which counts with an expertise profile in litigation due to the high professionalism of the associate attorneys and partners that are part of the firm, who are specialized in the civil, criminal, tax, intellectual property, competence law, health registration, labor, constitutional, dispute resolution and litigation fields, etc. In each of the specialized areas, our firm is formed by teams duly integrated by counsels very well skilled for the adequate legal advice to our clients and the best representation on litigation trials.

For a firm specialized in litigation the amendments on the procedural law are essential and require all our emphasis. I can mention as a significant change in recent years the entry into force of the Organic Code of the Judiciary Body on March 9, 2009 through the Official Gazette Supplement No. 544; by which the principle of oral proceedings is introduced as a new procedural form for the simplification of justice and always taking precautions to accelerate the proceedings.

Larreátegui, Methaler & Zambrano Abogados provides specialized litigation services in all fields of law, and it is specially required for causes that mediates commercial, civil, criminal, intellectual property, tax and labor litigation. Currently, we provide our consultancy services in civil, intellectual property, tax and other issues to companies of the Pharmaceutical and Agrochemical Industry and R&D; as well as energy, oil, foreign trade and transnational companies.

Website: www.lmzabogados.com

BEITEN BURKHARDT Rechtsanwaltsgesellschaft mbH

Dr Holger Peres, partner at BEITEN BURKHARDT, notes that the firm assists clients in all manner of national as well as cross border commercial cases. The firm’s legal advisory practice focuses on disputes – especially: liability issues with a technical background, corporate litigation, and alternative dispute resolution.

“It is not our first priority to succeed in litigation at any cost, but rather to maximise benefit and minimise risk in the client's interest,” said Dr. Holger Peres. He added: “We seriously consider alternative dispute resolution proceedings, as long as their implementation is deemed promising in the individual case.”

Moreover, the firm’s partners and advisers closely cooperate with their specialised colleagues of other law practices and/or external experts of non-legal areas. These include auditors, engineers, insurance specialists, medics, psychologists and communication consultants, among others. This type of cooperation has proven to be highly effective in facilitating the best possible preparation and presentation of each dispute.

Client representation is generally provided for legal disputes before state courts for arbitration proceedings and expert determination proceedings, as well as for mediation and adjudication proceedings.

Meanwhile, for complex litigation, BEITEN BURKHARDT uses specialist software to organise the facts of a dispute as well as to control the consistency. To this end, the firm compiles a risk and cost analysis, subsequently providing an objective, concise and clear account of the facts of the dispute.

The firm’s arbitration services include: advice on the terms of arbitration agreements; representation in arbitration proceedings; selection of arbitrators; participation as party arbitrator, single and presiding arbitrator; and enforcement of arbitration awards. The firm’s team is also familiar with ad hoc procedures – as well as with institutional arbitration proceedings in accordance with the rules of ICC, DIS, AAA, LCIA and the Vienna, Stockholm and Suisse rules.

Website: www.beitenburkhardt.com

Garcia Barragan Abogados, S.C.

Since its foundation, Garcia Barragan Abogados, S.C. has rendered services to domestic as well as foreign clients. The firm’s offices are located in Mexico City. However, it has clients nationwide and handles their affairs through correspondent relationships with law firms or prestigious lawyers in Mexico’s most important cities.

Concerning its international practice, the firm maintains strong relationships with several renowned law firms throughout the US, as well as with law firms in Europe and the Far East. The firm also maintains correspondent relationships with prestigious law firms in several countries of Central and South America.

The firm is composed of four general partners and eight associates, professionals in technical areas related to patents and other industrial creations, translators, paralegals, a pool of secretaries and an adequate number of administrative staff. The legal, technical, secretarial and administrative staff are highly experienced and qualified to deal with domestic and foreign clients, and all of them are fluent in English.

The firm’s partners have participated in international transactions and businesses both in Mexico and abroad. In addition, the firm is affiliated with lawyers’ associations abroad.

Meanwhile, Garcia Barragan Abogados, S.C. has, for several years, been active in the national and international commercial arbitration arena as counsel to parties. One of the partners of the firm is an arbiter of the National Chamber of Commerce of Mexico City, of Mexico’s Arbitration Center, of the Mexican Chapter of the International Court of Arbitration of the International Chamber of Commerce, and of the American Arbitration Association. Another of the partners is an arbiter appointed by the National Institute of Copyrights. The partners participate in this activity as counsel to parties; further, two of them participate as arbiters. All of them are fully familiarised with these procedures.

Moreover, the firm offers ample experience in litigation in all administrative and judicial instances.

Website: www.gb-abogados.com.mx

BUFETE GARCÍA JIMENO S.C.

BUFETE GARCÍA JIMENO S.C. (BGJ) was founded in 1970, by Francisco García Jimeno.

Mr García Jimeno specialised in private law, civil and commercial litigation, and was dean of the one of the most prestigious Law Schools in Mexico, “Escuela Libre de Derecho”.

Today, BGJ is one of the leading litigation law firms in Mexico City, dedicated exclusively to all aspects of complex litigation and trial practice, including commercial law and bankruptcy.

Lawyers in the firm have extensive experience in negotiating settlements involving a broad range of subject areas, including debt restructuring, commercial law, construction, financial disputes, bankruptcy (Concurso Mercantil). They have negotiated with bondholders acting on behalf of the debtors in the international markets.

Moreover, the firm has represented creditors and debtors in bankruptcy proceedings in many states of the Mexican Republic, in accordance with the 2000 Mexican Bankruptcy Law.

The firm offers a variety of services to corporations, other law firms, government agencies and individuals. Its team of professionals has provided legal counselling to leading corporations in many countries involving businesses in Mexico. Meanwhile, they have the ability and knowledge to represent a diverse client base and have a have strong practice in cross border insolvency, having acted in the first proceeding of this kind in Mexico’s federal courts.

The team has also advised major banks and institutions on debt restructure, acquisition finance and insolvency related matters – and the firm members have acted as expert witnesses in the US Courts, including the bankruptcy courts.

Website: www.gjimeno.com

Heussen B.V.

Heussen is an independent, Amsterdam-based Dutch law firm specialised in corporate, commercial and employment law. Heussen has a strong international focus and cooperates with Heussen Rechtsanwaltgesellschaft mbH, one of Germany’s biggest independent law firms with offices in Berlin, Frankfurt, Stuttgart, Brussels and New York, as well as with Heussen Italia, with offices in Rome, Milan and Conegliano.

The firm’s litigation practice covers all types of (international) litigation matters. Its partners and associates advise and assist in matters that vary from small to large, and from straightforward to complex.

Paul Josephus Jitta, Heussen partner, noted that the firm provides high quality and pragmatic legal services. Its small teams of highly dedicated, driven and experienced lawyers ensure that clients always receive the personal attention that they desire. They favour a personal approach, taking into account the individual requirements of the client in arriving at a bespoke package.

When asked to describe the firm’s typical client base, Mr Josephus Jitta noted: “Our client base is comprised of large-, medium- and small-sized Dutch and foreign companies. In particular, clients from the US, the UK, Scandinavia and Asia (Japan, China, Taiwan, and Korea) are well represented.”

He added: “In order to best serve our clients, we encompass a Japanese practice, a Chinese practice and a Swedish practice, all headed by native lawyers – as well as a Spanish & Latin American practice, headed by a Spanish speaking lawyer."

“Currently, the types of litigation that are proving the most prevalent include: corporate and commercial litigation, including liability issues; interpretation of contracts; breach of contract; tort litigation assessment; insurance litigation; earn-out disputes; seizure of assets; summary proceedings; as well as international disputes.”

Website: www.heussen-law.nl

Udo Udoma & Belo-Osagie

Based in Lagos, Udo Udoma & Belo-Osagie (UUBO) maintains a reputation for seeking to actively develop legal solutions as well as for providing sophisticated legal advice within the firm’s chosen niche areas. These include corporate and commercial litigation, arbitration and alternative dispute resolution, energy, electric power and natural resources, banking, capital markets, corporate restructuring, M&A, project finance, IP, labour, tax and maritime practise.

The firm’s clients include multinational and domestic corporations, non-profit organisations, multilateral and bilateral financing institutions, international organisations, embassies and state governments, as well as the Government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

The partners at UUBO noted that the Federal and State judiciaries in Nigeria have, for some time now, embarked on review of their respective dispute resolution procedures, for which reviews are aimed at ensuring a speedier and easier determination of cases.

In 2009, Lagos State – the foremost commercial city in Nigeria – enacted its own arbitration law, the Lagos State Arbitration Law (LSAL), to provide for the resolution of disputes by arbitration in Lagos State and for matters connected therewith. Although the LSAL is a more contemporary legislation when compared to the Arbitration and Conciliation Act Chapter A18, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004 (ACA) which is a federal enactment with countrywide application, there has been some controversy regarding the constitutionality of the LSAL.

This argument centres on the validity of the LSAL as regards to the existence of the ACA, which is a federal enactment that has covered the entire field of commercial arbitration. Until this issue is settled by the courts, parties and/ or their solicitors, who would like their commercial disputes subjected to the more contemporary LSAL, would have to worry about a possible challenge to arbitral proceedings or awards conducted or made under the LSAL.

Website: www.uubo.org

Udo Udoma & Belo-Osagie

Based in Lagos, Udo Udoma & Belo-Osagie (UUBO) maintains a reputation for seeking to actively develop legal solutions as well as for providing sophisticated legal advice within the firm’s chosen niche areas. These include corporate and commercial litigation, arbitration and alternative dispute resolution, energy, electric power and natural resources, banking, capital markets, corporate restructuring, M&A, project finance, IP, labour, tax and maritime practise.

The firm’s clients include multinational and domestic corporations, non-profit organisations, multilateral and bilateral financing institutions, international organisations, embassies and state governments, as well as the Government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

The partners at UUBO noted that the Federal and State judiciaries in Nigeria have, for some time now, embarked on review of their respective dispute resolution procedures, for which reviews are aimed at ensuring a speedier and easier determination of cases.

In 2009, Lagos State – the foremost commercial city in Nigeria – enacted its own arbitration law, the Lagos State Arbitration Law (LSAL), to provide for the resolution of disputes by arbitration in Lagos State and for matters connected therewith. Although the LSAL is a more contemporary legislation when compared to the Arbitration and Conciliation Act Chapter A18, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004 (ACA) which is a federal enactment with countrywide application, there has been some controversy regarding the constitutionality of the LSAL.

This argument centres on the validity of the LSAL as regards to the existence of the ACA, which is a federal enactment that has covered the entire field of commercial arbitration. Until this issue is settled by the courts, parties and/ or their solicitors, who would like their commercial disputes subjected to the more contemporary LSAL, would have to worry about a possible challenge to arbitral proceedings or awards conducted or made under the LSAL.

Website: www.uubo.org

Sousa Machado, Ferreira da Costa & Associados – Sociedade de Advogados, R.L. (SMFC)

SMFC is a law firm located in Lisbon, founded in 1991. Litigation constitutes one of its most significant practices. The firm’s litigation team undertakes advisory services in legal proceedings involving a variety of fields, and provides counselling to corporate clients in the telecoms and services fields as well as in debt collection efforts.

Companies represented include mobile communications, information technology, insurance, automobiles, real estate, farming & food, pharmaceuticals and cosmetics, as well as a host of private clients. There are many arbitration centres available in Portugal, and SMFC is equipped to offer dispute resolution services in all such areas – not only before the Portuguese courts but also before any arbitral tribunals, including global institutions.

SMFC has accumulated experience in litigation, civil, family and inheritance, labour, commercial, insolvency, debt collection, administrative and fiscal. The partners’ experience enables the firm to advise clients, benefiting from the services of inter-disciplinary groups specially designed to offer guidance in estate management, within the context of the closely held ‘family businesses’.

Mr Alexandre de Sousa Machado noted: “We represent clients’ interests in insolvency proceedings, deliver solutions for the implementation of preventative measures for companies in critical situations, assist in debt collection procedures, and assist with termination of employment contracts.”

SMFC also has a specialist team for litigation concerning family and inheritance law. Mr de Sousa Machado added: “We assist throughout litigation procedural stages as well as in proceedings that occur once the judicial process has been completed. We frequently handle cases where inheritance-related questions arise. For these cases, there is special emphasis on the negotiation of extra-judicial agreements on estate-sharing and conducting inventory proceedings.”

Website: www.smfc.pt

Zamfirescu Racoti Predoiu Attorneys at Law

Dispute Resolution is a key practice of Zamfirescu Racoti Predoiu Attorneys at Law, accounting for more than half of its work. With an undisputed position of leadership on the Romanian market, the firm offers local and international litigation and arbitration advice.

Understanding that litigating is not always the most desirable way to preserve a business relationship, the firm works closely with clients to determine the best strategy in preparing and conducting an alternative dispute resolution. At the same time, its lawyers identify and refine the best arguments to use in case of litigation, permanently helping clients to assess the risks and likelihood of success.

Zamfirescu Racoti Predoiu’s top-tier litigation practice always provides focused and valuable service, and has an outstanding national and international reputation.

According to senior partner Calin-Andrei Zamfirescu, its clients are primarily medium- or large-sized companies that are “always on the move – developing new projects and thus always in need of a complete set of legal assistance and representation services, be it in the form of preventive legal advice, or representation in the various disputes that are bound to appear during the course of every company’s activity.”

Mr Zamfirescu noted that because in 2011 a new Civil Code entered into force, this year it is time for the Civil Procedure Code to be changed. The current code dates back to 1865, with a major modification in 1948, and is “long due for a new facelift since the current times have transgressed the limits envisaged when the code was created”.

He added: “The New Civil Procedure Code, expected to enter into force in mid 2012, will change the manner in which dispute resolution is conceived and treated in Romania – some of its declared scopes being the predictability of the judicial system, and raising the awareness and involvement of the litigant parties and expediency of the civil process.”

Website: www.zrp.ro

AstapovLawyers International Law Group

AstapovLawyers’ expertise within the dispute resolution area extends not only to arbitration and special arbitration (GAFTA and FOSFA), but also to significant supplemental practise within the sphere of litigation. Meanwhile, its litigation practice exceeds the jurisdiction of Ukraine, thus encompassing the jurisdictions of the Russian Federation and the UK, among other diverse regions.

The firm is primarily committed to the principles of innovation, creativity and professionalism; meanwhile, the firm’s lawyers stay abreast of all legislative changes affecting their role, and offer a bespoke approach to their broad client base.

According to Andrey Astapov, managing partner, many of the firm’s clients are large-sized international firms that conduct their activity within the CIS countries, and face the realities and peculiarities of doing business in each country. The firm advises Ukrainian and Russian companies with respect to resolving disputes within the UK, Switzerland and France, as well as other jurisdictions. Moreover, AstapovLawyers provides high quality support concerning disputes within the areas of agriculture, commodities, finance, maritime, insurance and IP, among others.

Mr Astapov noted: “Legislation on mediation has not been adopted so far in Ukraine, so there is no legal framework for the application of this potentially efficient ADR method – and it does not enjoy the same judicial support as, say, arbitration.”

He added: “Otherwise, legislation in the post-Soviet countries has developed quite actively in recent years. To mention some changes that have directly affected Ukraine:- the terms for trial in all courts, as well as the terms for enforcement of court decisions, have been significantly reduced. Further, the procedure for the recognition and enforcement of foreign arbitral awards has been supplemented by the possibility of requesting for interim measures in support of the enforcement of respective awards in local courts.”

Website: www.astapovlawyers.com

Al-Yaqoub Attorneys & Legal Advisers in association with Hogan Lovells

According to the IFLR 1000, Al-Yaqoub Attorneys & Legal Advisers in association with Hogan Lovells was established in 2009, and has offices in Riyadh and Jeddah.

Head of Islamic finance Rahail Ali, and head of the Hogan Lovells Saudi offering, Imran Mufti (who was promoted to partner in May 2010), represent Lovells' leading figures in the Kingdom.

Meanwhile, Montasir Al Mohammed is managing partner of Al-Yaqoub Attorneys & Legal Advisers.

On the debt side of capital markets, the firm has acted as counsel to Crédit Agricole as coordinator, and Calyon Saudi Fransi, GIB Financial Services, HSBC Saudi Arabia and Samba Capital and Investment Management Company as joint lead managers and joint book runners on a SR2 billion ($533 million) bond offering from the Arab Petroleum Investments Corporation (APICORP) in October 2010.

In Islamic finance work, the association advised Samba Financial Group and HSBC Bahrain on a seven-year $280 million shariah-complaint financing facility with Saudi Telecom Co for its subsidiary VIVA Bahrain. This deal was closed in February 2011.

Website: www.alyaqoub.com

Braddell Brothers LLP

Braddell Brothers LLP is Singapore's third-oldest law practice, founded in 1883. Today, the firm is a boutique litigation, arbitration and corporate practice, specialising in high-end, complex civil and commercial litigation, criminal litigation and international arbitrations (e.g. SIAC, ICC, UNCITRAL) in Singapore, Jakarta and the Asia Pacific region. Its lawyers have experience representing clients in large, high stakes and difficult cases ordinarily regarded as the private reserve of Singapore’s largest law firms and specialist dispute resolution practices.

Managing partner Edmund Kronenburg noted: “We proudly carry on the rich legacy of excellence and commitment entrusted to us by our alumni of prominent litigators and jurists, many of whom have gone on to serve in the judiciary, government and academia. We are known for guiding clients strategically at every stage of a dispute, from the point of initial advice all the way through to final resolution – whether by trial, arbitration or a commercial settlement in our clients’ best interests.”

In recent years, Singapore has emerged as a leading centre for international commercial arbitration, rivaling London and Hong Kong. Its strengths include its central geographical location, world class infrastructure and communication facilities, stable political environment, pro-arbitration policy, and the fact it is perceived by both East and West to be a neutral dispute resolution venue.

Mr Kronenburg said: “Moreover, the Singapore courts are very pro-arbitration, i.e. if a contract contains an arbitration clause, the courts will almost always stay proceedings brought in breach of such a clause, in favour of arbitration. The High Court of Singapore works with the Singapore Mediation Centre to contact parties in cases that they feel would benefit from mediation. The Singapore Subordinate Courts have also been systematically referring certain types of disputes to proceed to court-facilitated mediation (also known as Court Dispute Resolution or CDR).”

Website: www.braddellbrothers.com

AsiaLegal LLC

AsiaLegal LLC was established in December 2002 and has four directors: Timothy Tan, P. Jeya Putra, Magdalene Chew and Wendy Leong. In addition, the firm is home to seven fee-earners. Timothy Tan is also a Commissioner for Oaths and Notary Public; meanwhile, P. Jeya Putra is a Fellow of the Singapore Institute of Arbitrators and a Member of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (London).

The firm specialises in shipping and admiralty litigation, including marine insurance, marine collision, charterparty disputes and non-contentious advisory work involving sale and purchase of vessels and oil and gas exploration contracts. AsiaLegal is also involved in commercial / civil litigation and arbitration. Clients include shipowners, charterers, shipyards, P&I Clubs, bunker suppliers and purchasers as well as various commodity firms. Moreover, AsiaLegal is regularly appointed by foreign and local solicitors to advise and act for them in shipping-related matters in the Singapore courts.

AsiaLegal has handled a number of significant matters since its incorporation. These include: acting for the owners of the vessel ‘Kaminesan’ in respect of issues arising out of a three-ship collision involving the vessels ‘Hyundai No. 105’ and ‘Mamitsa’, which is an on-going matter in the Singapore Courts.

Additional matters that AsiaLegal has been involved in for the years 2010 and 2011 include:-

Advising and acting for a large shipowning group on enforcement actions in Singapore against another large shipping group in respect of arbitration awards of US$40 million.

Advising a large shipbuilding group listed on SGX on (a) shipping-related issues in respect of the group’s restructuring of its bank and trade debts, and (b) the restructuring and mortgage of a vessel sale and purchase contract with a well-known international offshore support company valued at some US$30 million, and subsequent enforcement actions relating to the mortgage.

Website: www.asialegal.com.sg

Paksoy Attorneys at Law

Paksoy’s litigation and arbitration practice is home to a strong team of lawyers representing complex disputes in construction, commercial, civil liability, securities, damages, insolvency and shareholder conflicts.

The firm represents multinational and domestic companies in both civil and administrative courts in disputes arising from state tenders, procurement matters, construction, products liability, competition, commercial and employment matters.

Senior partner Serdar Paksoy noted: “We distinguish ourselves from rivals significantly because of our multi-disciplinary capabilities, industry/sector specialists, and our support teams from other practice areas in the firm.”

“Meanwhile,” Mr Paksoy added, “the firm’s clients come from all over the world. Paksoy acts for leading investment banks, financial institutions, industrialists and private equity investors from across the globe, Europe, the Middle East, the Far East and the United States. Their sectors range from manufacturing, banking, IT, financial services, retail, energy, life sciences, real estate and infrastructure.”

Looking at the industry in general, the Turkish Civil Procedural Law has recently been amended, in October 2011 (the New Code).

In Turkey, commercial court cases – which, for many, constitute the most important part of the Turkish litigation practice – are handled in accordance with the Civil Procedural Law. Enacted in 1927, this Law has been amended numerous times since then. The most common criticisms brought against the Law have been its complexity, combined with its loopholes, which made it vulnerable to abuse by defendants acting in bad faith – delaying court proceedings.

Mr Paksoy stated that the New Code has brought forth a number of useful procedural mechanisms, which would obviously have an accelerating effect in respect of court proceedings – thus reaching an expeditious outcome from the courts.

Website: www.paksoy.av.tr

Paksoy Attorneys at Law

Paksoy’s litigation and arbitration practice is home to a strong team of lawyers representing complex disputes in construction, commercial, civil liability, securities, damages, insolvency and shareholder conflicts.

The firm represents multinational and domestic companies in both civil and administrative courts in disputes arising from state tenders, procurement matters, construction, products liability, competition, commercial and employment matters.

Senior partner Serdar Paksoy noted: “We distinguish ourselves from rivals significantly because of our multi-disciplinary capabilities, industry/sector specialists, and our support teams from other practice areas in the firm.”

“Meanwhile,” Mr Paksoy added, “the firm’s clients come from all over the world. Paksoy acts for leading investment banks, financial institutions, industrialists and private equity investors from across the globe, Europe, the Middle East, the Far East and the United States. Their sectors range from manufacturing, banking, IT, financial services, retail, energy, life sciences, real estate and infrastructure.”

Looking at the industry in general, the Turkish Civil Procedural Law has recently been amended, in October 2011 (the New Code).

In Turkey, commercial court cases – which, for many, constitute the most important part of the Turkish litigation practice – are handled in accordance with the Civil Procedural Law. Enacted in 1927, this Law has been amended numerous times since then. The most common criticisms brought against the Law have been its complexity, combined with its loopholes, which made it vulnerable to abuse by defendants acting in bad faith – delaying court proceedings.

Mr Paksoy stated that the New Code has brought forth a number of useful procedural mechanisms, which would obviously have an accelerating effect in respect of court proceedings – thus reaching an expeditious outcome from the courts.

Website: www.paksoy.av.tr

Johnsons Solicitors

Johnsons Solicitors is a long established firm founded in 1898. The current partners have developed an exceptional reputation in a number of key areas. The firm has extensive experience in property and general commercial litigation, acting for clients from Europe and the US. Paul Tweed is a registered Foreign Legal Consultant with the California Bar Association. Featured in Legal 500, Johnsons is recognised by Chambers UK 2012 Guide as a leading firm in Northern Ireland in dispute resolution, defamation/reputation management, personal injury and professional negligence.

With offices strategically located in London, Dublin and Belfast, we are able to provide our clients with a comprehensive and cost-effective service across the UK and Ireland.

The firm represents major national and international insurance companies in Northern Ireland and has extensive experience in managing employers’ liability claims on behalf of major private sector employers. Paul Tweed’s defamation/reputation management practice has expanded rapidly over the past 12 months, primarily due to the firm’s ability to litigate simultaneously out of offices in London, Dublin and Belfast. He has acted in a significant volume of defamation and privacy cases from international and local clients anxious to achieve a prompt and effective vindication of their reputation.

Paul Tweed is gaining an international reputation in mediation having been appointed to the panels of JAMS International and IMAC. He has been a consistent advocate of mediation when appearing before the House of Commons Joint Committee on Defamation and several Ministry of Justice Panels. Mr Tweed has been involved in many successful mediations and arbitrations relating to the entertainment business and other commercial disputes.

Website: www.johnsonslaw.co.uk