Dispute resolution

Carson McDowell

Carson McDowell‘s Belfast team offers a wide scope of dispute resolution services, handling large volumes of IP and breach of confidence litigation, regularly working with insurers on professional and clinical negligence claims, as well as internet providers, manufacturers, and contractors on commercial litigation. Declan Magee, Stuart Murphy, Darren Toombs, and Hugh McGrattan are respectively the heads of commercial litigation and dispute resolution; construction; debt recovery; and professional indemnity. The ’personable’ Peter Guzhar acts in a wide variety of commercial litigation, including corporate and partnership disputes, and contractual disputes. Guzhar works alongside senior associates Lucy Clarke and Helen Cosgrove.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

‘Carson McDowell has a wealth of experience and talent in dealing with complex high value litigation, mediation and alternative dispute resolution.’
‘Hugh McGrattan has unrivalled expertise in professional indemnity insurance litigation, and is well respected. His knowledge and experience in professional negligence matters is in the first rank.
‘Certainly one of the "go to" firms for dispute resolution in Northern Ireland and one frequently engaged by the big insurers and international concerns. Plenty of strength in depth and litigation experience’
‘High McGrattan is the stand out litigation partner. There are very few large disputes in which he is not involved. A good black letter lawyer and a wily tactician. Clients like him for his sound commercial judgment. Gillian Greenfield is one of the most impressive senior associates I have worked with. Very hardworking with a sharp eye for detail.'
‘The practice is unique in that it provides high quality legal advice from both a legal and a commercial perspective. We have a single point of contact who then brings in the relevant teams to aid efficiency for us the client. The team has world class basics in that it follows up and reminds us when there are issues awaiting our input.
‘Peter Guzhar is one of the best lawyers we have worked with worldwide. The difference is simple, he consistently performs the legal basics and effortlessly covers the complex legal areas. He is personable and able to explain the complex in a straightforward manner.
‘Wide breadth of knowledge & experience - responsive to clients and prompt to provide advice and to invoice for services provided regularly.’

Key clients

DAF Trucks
Mediahuis UK Limited

Work highlights

Continues to act for DAF Trucks N.V. in the defence of numerous follow competition litigation claims arising from the 2016 European Commission Decision CASE AT.39824 –Trucks, in which the Commission fined five truck manufacturers almost €3 billion after it determined that the truck manufacturers had exchanged information relating to the pricing of trucks.
Achieved an excellent settlement for one of NI’s main utilities provider in relation to a long-standing contractual dispute in relation to the provision of their fleet vehicles.

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