Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Europe
Resolve Your Dispute Through Arbitration With an Expert By Your Side
Court litigation can be slow, public and unpredictable. Arbitration offers a private, binding alternative decided by a neutral specialist — but only if the process is handled properly from the start. We match you, free of charge, with a lawyer who conducts arbitration proceedings across Europe every day.
- 155+ legal services, 14 practice areas
- Lawyers across the EU & EEA
- No fee to get matched
No commitment. No hidden fees.
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Tell us about your situation and receive a free, confidential case review.
Who this is for
Arbitration is a binding, private alternative to the courts — when it is done right
Arbitration is a method of resolving disputes in which the parties agree to have their case decided by one or more neutral arbitrators rather than a state court. It rests on consent: a clause in a contract, or a separate agreement once a dispute has arisen, hands the matter to a private tribunal whose final award is binding and enforceable. Businesses favour it for its confidentiality, the freedom to choose decision-makers with relevant technical or industry expertise, and the relative flexibility of the procedure. Many cross-border commercial contracts contain arbitration clauses as standard, routing disputes to institutional or ad hoc arbitration rather than litigation. Yet arbitration is not automatically simpler — the choice of seat, rules, governing law and tribunal all shape the outcome, and a party that approaches it casually can forfeit advantages. Companies and individuals already in, or about to enter, arbitration benefit most from experienced guidance.
Where arbitration goes wrong
The award is final and hard to challenge.
Getting the early choices right matters enormously.
Arbitration is only as good as the clause that started it and the strategy that runs it.
A defective arbitration clause
Vague or contradictory clauses — naming the wrong institution, rules or seat — can force a preliminary battle over whether arbitration can even proceed, wasting time and money before the real dispute is ever heard.
The right tribunal and rules
Choosing arbitrators with genuine expertise in the subject matter, and the correct institutional rules and seat, directly affects procedure, cost and enforceability — decisions that are hard to revisit once made.
Enforcing or resisting the award
A winning award still has to be recognised and enforced where the losing party’s assets sit, while the losing party faces strict and limited grounds on which an award can be challenged or set aside.
What you get
An arbitration lawyer who runs the process strategically
We only match you with dispute lawyers who conduct arbitration proceedings regularly, as counsel and as advisers.
Clause and seat advice
Your lawyer reviews or drafts the arbitration agreement — seat, rules, language, number of arbitrators — so the foundation of the process actually serves your interests if a dispute arises.
Strategic case handling
From the request for arbitration through written submissions and the hearing, your lawyer builds and presents your case to maximise its strength before the tribunal.
Interim measures
Where assets or evidence are at risk, your lawyer can pursue interim relief and protective measures, whether through the tribunal or the courts, to preserve the position while the arbitration runs.
Award enforcement
Once the award is issued, your lawyer advises on recognition and enforcement in the relevant countries — or on the limited grounds for challenge — so the outcome is not left on paper.
Coverage
Arbitration lawyers across Europe
Arbitration may be seated in any of Europe’s major centres, each with its own national arbitration law and courts that supervise the process. The right lawyer is one familiar with your chosen seat and rules. We match cases across the following countries and beyond:
Frequently asked
Arbitration — common questions
What is the difference between arbitration and litigation?
Litigation takes place in state courts with public proceedings and judges assigned to the case, while arbitration is a private process in which the parties choose the decision-maker and, to a large extent, the rules. Arbitration awards are binding and generally easier to enforce internationally than court judgments.
Do I need an arbitration clause to use arbitration?
Arbitration requires the parties’ consent. Most commonly this is found in an arbitration clause in a contract, but parties can also agree to arbitrate after a dispute has already arisen. Without such an agreement, the case must generally go to court.
Is arbitration confidential?
Arbitration is private in the sense that proceedings and awards are not part of the public court record. However, the precise degree of confidentiality depends on the applicable rules and the law of the seat, so it is not guaranteed in every case.
Can an arbitration award be appealed?
Generally, there is little scope to appeal an award on the merits. A losing party can usually only challenge an award on narrow grounds, such as serious procedural irregularity or lack of jurisdiction, and only within a strict time limit in the courts of the seat.
How long does arbitration take?
Timescales vary widely depending on the complexity of the dispute, the rules and the tribunal’s availability, but arbitration is often faster than full court litigation. Institutional rules frequently set target timelines, though extensions are common in substantial cases.
Why choose arbitration over going to court?
Parties often choose arbitration for confidentiality, the ability to select arbitrators with relevant expertise, a more flexible procedure, and the relative ease of enforcing awards across borders under international conventions. The right choice depends on the specific contract and dispute.
Free case review
Don’t enter arbitration without the right counsel
Tell us about your dispute or contract, and we’ll connect you with an arbitration lawyer who handles cases like yours across Europe every day — free of charge, with no obligation to hire.