Elliott Duffy Garrett

Elliott Duffy Garrett is one of the leading commercial law firms in Northern Ireland, providing a broad range of legal advice and services to commercial, public, professional and private clients based, or doing business, in this jurisdiction.

The firm: Elliott Duffy Garrett was founded in Belfast in 1973 to provide a full range of legal services to commercial and private clients. It has a well established reputation for advising and representing a variety of clients, which include public bodies (NI Ombudsman), banks (Danske Bank), listed companies (C&C Group plc), SMEs (McAvoy Group), education bodies (St Marys University College, Victoria College Belfast), housing associations (Choice Housing Ireland) and charities (NI Hospice).

A skilled and experienced team, Elliott Duffy Garrett places great emphasis on core values of service, quality, integrity and professionalism. The firm prides itself on taking the time to understand clients’ needs and objectives so that it can help them to avoid problems. It also has strong worldwide connections through its membership of TAGLaw, which enables it to effectively assist clients who are seeking to achieve international growth. It hosted the TAGLaw European Regional Conference in Belfast in 2016.

Types of work undertaken
Banking and financial services: Elliott Duffy Garrett offers a dynamic and effective service for banks, building societies and other financial institutions, both local and international. Its banking lawyers provide bespoke lending and security documentation and give advice on regulatory and compliance matters including banking codes and consumer credit. The firm also works alongside lawyers in other jurisdictions on international financing transactions.

Corporate and commercial: the firm is focused on its clients’ commercial aims and objectives. Its corporate and commercial lawyers are dedicated to providing expert advice and practical solutions, and represent family-owned businesses, SMEs and major corporates alongside public sector and voluntary sector bodies. The team has worked on many of the largest corporate transactions in Northern Ireland.

Employment: Elliott Duffy Garrett provides advice on all aspects of the employment relationship including recruitment, contracts, training, policies, disciplinary matters and litigation, including in the areas of grievance, equality, tribunals, policies and procedures, and TUPE and restructuring. The firm’s employment lawyers have an exemplary track record and reputation for providing an efficient and reliable employment law service to a range of clients across the public, private and third sectors in Northern Ireland.

Insolvency: the firm offers expert legal advice on all matters relating to insolvency and business recovery. Its insolvency lawyers advise secured creditors on the pre-appointment process, and also act for administrators and receivers in the disposal of assets and businesses. Clients include financial institutions, directors, shareholders and accountancy firms. Specialist areas include administration; liquidation; receivership; recovery; and rescue.

Commercial property: the commercial property team provides a comprehensive range of legal services covering all aspects of property and real estate in Northern Ireland, including development, landlord and tenant, housing, retail, planning and environmental law. The firm has played a key role in some of the most significant property transactions throughout Ireland and the UK in recent years. Its reputation in the field is outstanding and clients include major property developers, retailers, funders, private and institutional investors.

Dispute resolution and litigation: the team has an excellent track record in handling complex litigation at all levels, including those raising new issues of law. It uses expertise and commercial experience to advise a diverse range of clients on the most appropriate method of dispute resolution, whether negotiation, litigation, arbitration or mediation. The firm offers a partner-driven service which focuses on delivering a solution to achieve clients’ practical and commercial aims and objectives.

Family and matrimonial: Elliott Duffy Garrett’s family and matrimonial lawyers provide practical guidance and cost-effective legal advice in dealing with issues arising from the breakdown of a relationship, including divorce, ancillary relief, contact, residence, and Mareva injunctions. Clients benefit from advice based on experience, understanding, in-depth knowledge of the law and discretion.

Private client: the private client team offers expertise, specialist advice and client-orientated service in wills, trusts and succession planning. Its lawyers also handle administration of estates and residential property matters. All of its services are sensitive to the needs of clients and are provided in strict confidence.