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Dispute Resolution
Watson, Farley & Williams has a very strong dispute resolution department which has grown significantly in recent years. The group now comprises over 7 partners and 12 assistant solicitors.
We have extensive experience in all aspects of international dispute resolution (whether litigation, arbitration or ADR). We are recommended by the law directory Legal 500 as a leading firm in the following dispute resolution categories:
- International Arbitration
- Finance Litigation
- Commercial Litigation
The editors of Legal 500 have described our litigation practice in the following terms:
“Watson, Farley & Williams’ litigation department is one of few to be genuinely moving forward at pace. Few outside the Magic Circle can match the range and quality of recent instructions. Acting for a Vivendi joint venture, it successfully concluded one of Europe’s largest arbitrations. The firm is also increasing its share of instructions for the major banks, acting on some impressive derivative disputes in addition to a broad range of other matters.”
We have particular strength in international arbitration. We have, for example, acted in one of the World’s largest investment treaty disputes for the Government of India who faced claims in excess of US$4 billion.
We consider that our practice is distinguished by five key factors:
The range of disputes handled
We have experience of a wide range of disputes and have a particular strength in international arbitration generally and arbitration in the offshore and the oil and gas industries in particular.
Success in large “high stakes” litigation
We regularly act on very substantial multi-million dollar disputes. Our clients are often substantial corporations such as Vivendi, Citibank, JPMorgan Chase, DrKW, PGS and Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines. Our regular involvement in this type of dispute is unusual for a firm of our size and puts our experience on a par with the litigation departments of much larger firms, who invariably act on the other side. We have the project management skills to manage very large cases all the way to trial.
The international nature of the disputes handled
Perhaps the strongest feature of our practice is the international nature of the disputes we handle. This has given us unrivalled practical experience of litigation involving different systems of law and managing litigation in numerous foreign jurisdictions. We have particular strengths in Russia and Eastern Europe.
Experience in managing multi-jurisdiction disputes
A feature of modern litigation is that a dispute can be litigated in several countries at once and it is obviously important to have practical experience of litigation in different jurisdictions. We have very well established relationships with excellent local firms which enables us to manage litigation effectively in jurisdictions where we do not have an office. Effective management of foreign lawyers is essential to ensure that the overall litigation strategy is carried through without the difficulties and delays which can sometimes plague litigation in overseas jurisdictions. Cases also often involve mobilising actions in foreign jurisdictions at very short notice.
An innovative, result driven approach to disputes
Our most important task is to produce a litigation strategy which meets the client’s commercial objectives and provides new ideas on how those objectives might be obtained in the quickest and most cost effective manner. We always avoid a blinkered approach to litigation and have in many cases achieved results for clients by recommending innovative and unusual actions. The cost benefit analysis of litigation is something which we ensure is kept under constant review when planning and implementing the strategy.
Steven Burkill, Bangkok
Andrew Savage, London
Alfred Yudes, New York
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