Practice Areas - Litigation

JW O’Donovan is a leading player in litigation and disputes resolution. Our clients know that they are getting a group of experts with a proven track record in complex commercial, property and civil litigation. We also provide advice in traditional areas of litigation such as debt collection and defence litigation and will guide our clients through the strict procedures for personal injuries claims in force since the establishment of PIAB.

Our lawyers also have extensive experience in providing pre-dispute advisory services and advising and managing both formal litigation proceedings and various forms of alternative dispute resolution (ADR).

Our client base includes a wide range of domestic and multinational industrial groupings in all sectors – banking and financial organisations, insurance companies, professional organisations and private clients.

Legal disputes present an ever-present risk for individuals and businesses whether as plaintiff or defendant, whether of a minor nature or in terms of substantial litigation which threatens a business as a whole. We focus on delivering our clients' commercial objectives efficiently and cost effectively. We have particular regard to the individual needs and objectives of our clients and tailor our approach in each case.

ADR can provide a cost-effective and time-efficient alternative which can stave off litigation early and provide protection for a client’s reputation and privacy. It can also engender better relations between the parties after the dispute has been dealt with.

These developments are reflected in the methods employed by the Commercial Court which since its establishment in January 2004 has heralded a new climate for the conduct of commercial litigation. The new court has also been instrumental in the expansion of ADR bringing with it the necessary tools to deal efficiently with these changed circumstances, such as judicial case management, focused pleadings and agreement by the parties as to what matters are actually in issue.

Our commercial litigation and dispute resolution practice advises on a broad range of contentious and regulatory issues. Particular expertise has been acquired and developed in litigation, arbitration and mediation in the fields listed below.

Our services include the following:
·	Appropriateness of ADR
·	Avoidance of contractual disputes
·	Commercial contractual and warranty disputes
·	Partnership disputes
·	Pensions litigation
·	Claims in Tort
·	Internet and telecommunications litigation
·	Succession law claims
·	Professional negligence claims
·	Bankruptcy and insolvency proceedings
·	Construction
·	EC competition and regulation
·	Fraud and white collar crime
·	Insurance
·	Personal Injuries (including PIAB)
·	Defence litigation
·	Intellectual property and patents
·	Media and defamation
·	Medical and healthcare
·	Planning and environmental law
·	Professional indemnity
·	Technology litigation
·	Tribunals and inquiries
·	Debt recovery options and mechanisms
·	Sale of goods and consumer law
·	Labour and employment law

Property Litigation

Our services include the following:
·	Landlord and tenant disputes, including lease renewals
·	Planning appeals and development issues
·	Commercial and construction contractual disputes
·	Breach of contract actions
·	Specific performance applications and injunctions
·	Planning injunctions
·	Environmental law disputes and enforcement proceedings

Debt Recovery

Managing Credit Control is always a priority for business owners and JW O’Donovan has always offered a high quality debt recovery service and can assist our clients to recover their debts, of whatever size, speedily and cost effectively. We provide a comprehensive and stream lined service in the litigation process with the object of tailoring the response to the clients’ particular requirements. We provide advice on the various enforcement options available in the particular circumstances, to include where appropriate, bankruptcy proceedings. The corner stone of our service in this area is the emphasis on speed of recovery and cost efficiency. In this respect, our experience in commercial and company law has been invaluable in enhancing the quality of advice to our clients.