Allen & Overy

It is no longer true that litigators are only called in when things go wrong.  The traditional role of dispute resolution is changing.  Businesses now need to identify potential areas for dispute at the earliest possible time, and put in place risk management strategies to protect their business and avoid conflict.  So in addition to helping fight their corner, whether in court litigation, international arbitration, regulatory enforcement or mediation, we work at a strategic level with our clients to identify potential issues and manage their litigation risk.  Our clients range from global financial institutions and major international corporates to governments, regulators and state bodies; part of our skill as litigators is carefully to match solutions to our client's particular situation. 

Our dispute resolution practice has an impressive track record of resolving the most complex and high profile disputes in the market.  As a trainee, you will have the opportunity to work on an incredibly broad range of matters.  In addition to our overall Litigation practice groups of Banking & Finance, Arbitration, Commercial or Intellectual Property, we have specialist areas such as fraud, insolvency, insurance and real estate litigation.  You will be researching points of law, drafting witness statements, attending trials at court or before arbitral tribunals and assisting in negotiating settlements between disputing parties.  Trainees are encouraged to manage small matters themselves, with guidance when necessary and may conduct their own advocacy at hearings, if appropriate.  Trainees can also become involved in pro bono work such as death row cases (namely working for Caribbean prisoners to try to get their sentences commuted), and working at the CAB and Battersea Legal Advice Centre.

Notable deals our dispute resolution lawyers have worked on recently include advising:

• BAE Systems Plc  on the public investigation by the Serious Fraud Office (SFO) of the company's involvement with the Al Yamamah defence contract with Saudi Arabia and its procurement of contracts in a number of jurisdictions.
• A leading US defence contractor in a warranty claim arising out of an acquisition, in its defence to Commercial Court proceedings and related counterclaims.
• One of the world's largest independent energy companies on its investment in and development of one of the world's largest gas-to-liquids projects in Qatar. The advice which we are required to give is very wide ranging and encompasses actual and potential disputes with partners and contractors.
• A subsidiary of JP Morgan Chase in an ICC arbitration governed by New York law involving claims of more than $700 million.
• A leading international bank on issues arising from sales worth over GBP1bn of structured notes issued by Lehmans Brothers to retail customers following the bank's collapse in September 2008. This has involved advice on dealing with regulators, court cases and customer claims and complaints in various EMEA countries, as well as investigating and advising on the documents and processes used in the distribution and sale of the notes.
• HBOS In the proceedings brought by the OFT against it, six other banks and one building society in relation to the fairness and lawfulness of unarranged overdraft charges.
  

You can find more information about the Litigation & Dispute Resolution practice area on the main Allen & Overy website.