The practice at D. L. & F. De Saram stands out for its expertise in handling a range of complex dispute resolution work for its international client portfolio, which includes prominent names from the aviation, food and media sectors, such as Nestle and the BBC. The team is experienced in handling disputes concerning alleged defamation, outstanding payments for goods, unfair competition and IP matters. The group frequently appears before the Supreme Court and the High Court of Civil Appeal. Savantha De Saram leads the team alongside the ‘knowledgeable’ Jivan Goonetilleke and Dasuni Wijayasiriwardena.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- 'In dispute resolution, the team were very responsible in ensuring that all the required filings were done at the right time, and in following up with us throughout. They were very diligent and very good with their advice.'
- 'Dasuni and her team are very responsive and supportive. Dasuni is very responsible and sound of judgement and advice.'
- 'Professionalism, collaboration and timely delivery.'
- 'Jivan is easily accessible, provides sound advice, and is knowledgeable.'
- 'The team is very co-operative and demonstrates a high technical competence in legal consultation and the provision of advice.'
Key clients
- British Broadcasting Corporation
- Nestle Lanka PLC
- The Swadeshi Industrial Works PLC
- Sena Mills Refineries (Pvt) Limited
- Paycorp International (Pvt) Ltd
- V.V. Karunaratne & Company Limited
- Chemosyn Limited
- Orient Overseas Container Line China Company Limited (OOCL)
- Siam City Cement (Lanka) Limited/Insee Group
Work highlights
- Assisting an airline with resisting an appeal brought by an aviation company, concerning a decision of the Commercial High Court where the client successfully vacated an enjoining order preventing one of the client’s aircraft from departing Sri Lanka.
- Representing Sena Mills Refineries (Pvt) Ltd in a dispute regarding the HS Code Classification Ruling on a consignment of 38 shipments of crude palm oil imported by the client.
- Representing the client in several high-profile actions and claims against several parties who were associated with the client, its shareholders, directors and parent company.
Practice head
The lawyer(s) leading their teams.
Savantha De Saram, Jivan Goonetilleke, Dasuni Wijayasriwardena