The litigation team at A&L Goodbody Northern Ireland LLP is well-experienced in handling complex disputes for global companies. 'Exceptional' practice co-head Sam Corbett is a restructuring and insolvency specialist, while fellow co-head Micaela Diver specialises in public and regulatory cases, including those concerning public procurement, outsourcing and infrastructure projects. Brendan Fox has over twenty-five years of experience in corporate construction and property disputes. Michael Neill, who heads up the Belfast office, is also head of restructuring. Ciaran O'Shiel often works with associate Ronan Marlow on matters concerning IP, media, and technology.

The Arthur Cox Belfast litigation and dispute resolution department has a strong base of global clients, including Coca-Cola, Aer Lingus, and Volvo. Catriona Gibson, ‘a first class litigator’ leads the practice. Gibson specialises in a wide range of contractual disputes, commercial litigation and recoveries. Gibson’s recent cases have included defending Renault on loss and damage claims arising from alleged anti-competitive behaviour. Chris Ritchie often acts in large commercial disputes; he has been defending Jaguar Land Rover in a case arising from a product recall of vehicles. Meanwhile, the ‘talented, level-headed’ David Black specialises in commercial disputes as well as professional negligence litigation.

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.

Cleaver Fulton Rankin is known as a 'knowledgeable, proactive and commercial firm'. Practice head Jeanette Donohoe is also head of insolvency and business restructuring, while managing director Jonathan Forrester is well known for his track record in commercial and real estate litigation. Patrick Fleming and Aaron Moore look after clients that require construction and related professional negligence advice. Michael King has a strong IP practice, while also acting in data protection, procurement, and debt recovery disputes. Rachael Gamble, ‘a first-rate associate’ supports on a wide range of real estate and commercial litigation.

The ‘highly professional’ dispute resolution team at Tughans acts for a strong client base of infrastructure, finance, and construction clients. The ‘fantastic strategist’ Michael McCord leads the team with ‘great client handling skills’. McCord specialises in commercial and real estate litigation, often acting for major infrastructure, construction, and manufacturing clients. Patrick Brown regularly handles financial services litigation, contractual warranty claims, and shareholder and partnership disputes. Brown is often supported by both Nadine Brennan and Ellen Forester in commercial disputes. Toby McMurray supports clients on contentious insolvency and business recovery matters.

The Davidson McDonnell dispute resolution team is a fast-growing practice which offers commercial litigation services for strong local and multi-jurisdictional clients. The ‘efficient, warm and considerate’ Barbara Creed leads the team. Creed is an extremely well-regarded litigator in high value, multidisciplinary commercial and property disputes, while senior solicitor Elise Quigley is particularly experienced in acting on breach of contract claims. At the associate level, Shane McVeigh specialises in representing clients in insolvency and corporate recovery disputes.

The Elliott Duffy Garrett dispute resolution and litigation team holds extensive experience with commercial, liability, and banking disputes. The ’meticulous’ Christopher Duffy leads the practice with strong experience in commercial litigation, injunctions, and employer’s liability. Marie-Louise Lowry - ‘extremely commercial and easy to deal with’ - often assists clients with contentious procurement, energy, and licensing matters. Associate Claire Martin specialises in banking litigation, including debt recovery and insolvency, while associate Keara Powell acts on disputes concerning insolvency and commercial law.

The Millar McCall Wylie LLP commercial disputes team advises clients on disputes in sectors such as construction, real estate and corporate, among others. Caroline Prunty leads the practice; she often works for private clients in insolvency and real estate matters. Jan Cunningham is particularly well experienced in corporate disputes, such as disputes concerning shareholders and directors. Emma Rooney is well regarded for construction and property disputes, while associate Ashley Black provides support.

The Mills Selig litigation team acts on a wide range of disputes, including commercial, media and defamation, and property disputes. Emma Hunt is an expert in defamation disputes; she is defending Sir Van Morrison in a defamation action brought by the Minister for Health, Robin Swann. Kirsten Magee often defends clients in claims concerning breach of contract and product liability. Maeve Fisher focuses on licensing and property litigation. At the senior associate level, Rebecca Logan is experienced in various commercial disputes, including matters regarding trespassing and harassment on company property.

The Pinsent Masons Belfast LLP litigation, regulatory, and tax team advises on a wide range of dispute resolution matters, with a particular focus on the property, construction, and infrastructure sectors. David Kirkpatrick, ‘a very strong litigator with an excellent reputation’ leads the practice. Kirkpatrick often acts in property and infrastructure disputes for clients in the energy sector. Deirdre Cormican specialises on property law, particularly regarding disputes in the retail sector. Senior associate Catherine Mallon, ‘very astute and extremely down to earth with clients’ regularly supports the team on commercial litigation in the infrastructure sector.

WP Tweed & Co, a defamation and media law boutique, specialises in representing high-net-worth private individuals. The team is jointly led by Paul Tweed and Peter McGrath. Tweed has over thirty years of experience and demonstrates ‘encyclopaedic knowledge’ of privacy and defamation law. McGrath, ‘a safe pair of hands’, is well experienced in engaging with foreign lawyers and PR agents as part of a wider reputation management strategy. At the associate level Marie Hans and Caoimhe Cunningham are key individuals to note.

Clyde & Co is renowned for its expertise in insurance cases and professional negligence matters. Leading the team is Graeme Moore, a seasoned professional with more than twenty-five years of experience in handling professional indemnity claims. The core team also includes Michelle McCullough, ‘a highly capable and personable solicitor’ who is experienced in fire and property damage claims.

DWF is well known for its clients in the insurance industry, with the Belfast office holding a strong focus on professional negligence and large loss claims. The practice is also expanding in the areas of IP, media, and data privacy litigation. The practice is jointly headed by Mark Taggart and Olivia O’Kane. Taggart, often supported by associate Carley Shields, acts for various insurers on professional negligence matters across the finance, legal, and construction sectors. James Griffiths specialises in corporate and commercial disputes, and often acts for insurers on construction disputes.

The Eversheds Sutherland dispute resolution and litigation department excels in various areas, including commercial, telecoms, and procurement disputes. The Belfast office often works collaboratively with the firm’s wider network of offices in both the UK and abroad. Heading the team is Matthew Howse, an expert in banking and insolvency litigation. Emily Paisley, ’a diligent, methodical and hard-working’ senior associate, focuses on commercial litigation.

The McKees commercial litigation team focuses on debt recovery and breach of contract disputes. Leading the team is managing partner Chris Ross, who often acts on banking litigation and health and safety disputes. Additionally, key members include Jill Annett and senior associate Aoife Duffy, both of whom specialise in debt recovery matters.

Shoosmiths LLP is well known for its work in financial services litigation, as well as professional negligence and debt recovery cases. Outside financial work, the practice has been expanding in the energy sector, working on judicial reviews and injunctive proceedings regarding windfarms and energy-from-waste facilities. In January 2024, principal associate Ciaran McCorry joined the firm from A&L Goodbody Northern Ireland LLP and specialises in contractual, corporate, real estate and professional negligence claims, while Emma Wightman focuses on financial services litigation. Former practice head Gillian Crotty departed to Teacher Stern LLP in 2024.

The ‘very modern and efficient’ TLT litigation team demonstrates expertise in representing clients in contractual disputes, asset recovery cases, and construction litigation. The ‘knowledgeable and supportive’ team lead Katharine Kimber often advises clearing banks on financial services litigation. Fergal Maguire is a key contact for lenders, insolvency practitioners, and public authorities for insolvency and debt recovery representation. In September 2023, Jason Byrne left to join Millar McCall Wylie LLP.