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Dispute Resolution

Resolving Complex Disputes with Strategy, Precision & Results

LOVILL’s Dispute Resolution practice is one of the firm’s flagship areas — ranked among the leading practices in Panama and Latin America by Chambers & Partners, The Legal 500, Leaders League, and Lexology.

Our team advises and represents multinational corporations, sovereign states, family offices, and private investors in high-stakes disputes that shape industries and markets.

We combine strategic insight, legal precision, and cross-border experience to deliver results that stand out for their efficiency and impact.

Recognized since 2009 by major international directories, LOVILL is distinguished by its tailored approach, exceptional advocacy, and consistent performance across jurisdictions.

“LOVILL’s experienced dispute resolution team acts on a range of contentious mandates for international and Panamanian companies and individuals. The firm’s client portfolio includes government bodies. The department is particularly well known for its litigation capabilities, notably in civil and criminal proceedings, as well as the labour arena. The team also has experience representing companies in arbitration cases.” — Chambers and Partners

At LOVILL, dispute resolution is not just advocacy — it is strategy.

Precision. Performance. Partnership.

Three pillars that define our practice and the trust we build with every client.

Litigation

Our litigation practice has been at the core of LOVILL since the firm’s founding. We handle complex, high-value disputes in Panama, including civil, commercial, administrative, and labor matters, as well as cases with international implications requiring cross-border coordination.

In Panama, our team represents local and multinational clients before trial and appellate courts, administrative authorities, and regulatory bodies. We combine procedural mastery with a strategic understanding of local judicial processes to achieve efficient outcomes.

Beyond national borders, LOVILL coordinates cross-border litigation and judgment enforcement, ensuring that our clients’ interests are protected across jurisdictions.

This dual capability allows us to manage the full lifecycle of disputes—from local filings to global execution.

“Notable partner Cristina López continues to offer a strong practice advising clients from the construction, logistics and real estate sectors on commercial litigation. She is also well placed to represent clients in civil litigation and commercial arbitration proceedings.”
— Chambers and Partners

Representative Matters

1

$2 million – Representation of two U.S.-based multinational telecommunications infrastructure companies in cross-border insolvency proceedings before the Civil Courts of Panama related to the bankruptcy of a regional mobile service provider.
LOVILL acts on behalf of the clients as creditors, seeking damages and unpaid amounts arising from site leasing and subleasing agreements for telecommunications towers.
The case involves cross-border coordination between the United States, Jamaica, and Panama and addresses complex issues of contractual liability and insolvency under Panamanian law.
2

$2.5 million – Representation of a major supermarket chain in Panama in parallel administrative and civil proceedings against a leading regional bank arising from defects in multiple leased Point of Sale (POS) systems that caused significant financial losses.
The dispute involves banking, regulatory, commercial, and technological matters, and LOVILL has deployed a multidisciplinary team to address the case comprehensively.
LOVILL obtained a favorable resolution admitting the civil lawsuit, and the Superintendency of Banks of Panama ordered formal prosecution of the bank for violations of banking regulations, fully upholding LOVILL’s arguments.
In 2024, LOVILL represented the client during the evidence phase and final arguments before the regulator and began the evidentiary phase of the civil proceedings. In addition to the judicial proceedings, LOVILL also conducted negotiations toward a potential settlement.
3

Representation of two Canadian nationals in civil and criminal proceedings against an international hotel chain in Panama arising from a case of sexual assault committed by hotel personnel.
LOVILL led both criminal and civil actions against the individuals responsible and the hotel entities, working in coordination with the Embassy of Canada to safeguard the clients’ rights and ensure access to justice.
The firm successfully obtained a criminal conviction with a ten-year prison sentence against the perpetrator and represented the clients throughout the related civil proceedings, which involved extensive evidentiary work, expert examinations, and on-site inspections across multiple jurisdictions in Panama.

Arbitration

LOVILL is one of Panama’s leading firms in arbitration, with experience representing clients both within the country and in international proceedings across Latin America.

At the domestic level, we act before the Panama Chamber of Commerce Arbitration Center (CeCAP) and other local institutions, advising on commercial, construction, and regulatory disputes. Our lawyers are known for their deep understanding of Panamanian law, precise procedural strategy, and the ability to resolve disputes efficiently while protecting the client’s business objectives.

At the international level, LOVILL represents states, state-owned entities, and multinational corporations in ICC, ICSID, and UNCITRAL arbitrations. Our team has acted in matters involving sovereign immunity, infrastructure, and investment protection, often coordinating with co-counsel in Europe and Latin America to ensure cohesive representation across jurisdictions.

“When we face complex situations, LOVILL provides us with different scenarios and recommendations, and then the most convenient decision is made. They have reliable professionals who offer a very good level of service and timely responses.” — Chambers and Partners

“LOVILL’s conflict resolution team handles important investment disputes, offering a very good experience and an acute sense of strategy.” — Chambers and Partners

Representative Matters

1

$30 million – Representation of a U.S. investor and engineering company in an ICC arbitration against a Latin American sovereign and its Ministry of Health concerning breach of contract and unpaid amounts related to the construction of multiple hospital projects across the country.
The dispute follows prior investment arbitration proceedings before ICSID initiated by the client as a U.S. investor for alleged discriminatory acts and expropriation.
LOVILL, in coordination with U.S. counsel, filed counterclaims in Federal Court and commenced international arbitration proceedings seeking compensation for damages exceeding US$30 million.
LOVILL acts on behalf of the clients as creditors, seeking damages and unpaid amounts arising from site leasing and subleasing agreements for telecommunications towers.
The case involves cross-border coordination between the United States, Jamaica, and Panama and addresses complex issues of contractual liability and insolvency under Panamanian law.

Asset Recovery

LOVILL’s asset recovery team combines domestic litigation expertise with international enforcement capability to assist clients in recovering assets across multiple jurisdictions.

In Panama, we advise on preventive measures, injunctions, and asset protection proceedings involving real estate, corporate shares, and financial assets. Our lawyers are skilled at navigating local courts and coordinating with regulatory entities to secure swift and effective results.

At the international level, we represent clients in the tracing, freezing, and enforcement of foreign judgments and arbitral awards, particularly those arising from complex commercial disputes and cross-border enforcement scenarios. We work closely with global forensic experts and counsel to ensure efficient recovery under complex cross-border scenarios.

“LOVILL’s team are committed to their clients, and assertive in conflict resolution. They always go the extra mile to find the right path to solve problems, and are fast to react, proactive, and preventive.” — Chambers and Partners

Representative Matters

1

$800 million – Representation of a state-owned fund and sovereign entity in an exequatur and cross-border enforcement proceeding before the Supreme Court of Panama to recognize and enforce a foreign judgment issued by the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council (UK) against multiple defendants.
LOVILL leads this multijurisdictional enforcement action, coordinating related proceedings in Ecuador, Great Britain, the Bahamas, the United States, the BVI, and Panama, and secured one of the first asset-freezing precautionary measures without judicial bond in Panama.
The case involves a complex network of corporate structures requiring piercing of the corporate veil through multiple legal theories and collaboration with global funders to execute a comprehensive asset recovery strategy.