Dispute Resolution
Resolving Complex Disputes with Strategy, Precision & Results.
LOVILL’s Dispute Resolution practice is one of the firm’s flagship areas. We represent multinational corporations, sovereign states, financial institutions, family offices, and private investors in high-stakes commercial disputes across a broad spectrum of matters, including contractual and commercial disputes, shareholder, succession, and corporate control disputes, regulatory and administrative proceedings, insolvency and restructuring matters, professional liability claims, and recognition and enforcement across jurisdictions.
Our team has successfully handled disputes spanning infrastructure and construction, telecommunications, banking and finance, private wealth and family governance, real estate, hospitality and tourism, retail and consumer goods, logistics, healthcare, waste management, among others. This sectoral reach enables us to develop dispute strategies that are informed not only by the legal issues at stake, but also by the commercial, regulatory, and industry-specific realities facing our clients.
We combine strategic insight, legal precision, and cross-border experience to deliver results that stand out for their efficiency and impact.
What sets our practice apart is the depth of perspective our partners bring. Beyond their role as counsel, they serve as arbitrators on international tribunals, dispute board members, and expert witnesses, experience that shapes how we approach every matter from the outset.
Ranked among the leading dispute resolution practices by Chambers & Partners, The Legal 500, Leaders League, and Lexology, LOVILL is distinguished by its tailored approach, exceptional advocacy, and consistent performance across jurisdictions.
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.
“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.”
Explore Our Practice Areas and How We Can Support You.
Arbitration
LOVILL is one of Panama’s leading firms in arbitration, with experience representing clients and acting as co-counsel both in international and domestic proceedings.
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 international counsel to ensure cohesive representation across jurisdictions. Beyond representation, our partners serve as arbitrators on international tribunals, dispute board members, and expert witnesses, bringing a broader perspective to every matter they handle.
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.
“A robust and highly efficient team. Lovill’s quality standards are excellent. It’s a firm that’s adept at working quickly and offering relentless customer service.”
“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.”
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.
At the international level, LOVILL coordinates cross-border litigation and judgment enforcement, ensuring that our clients’ interests are protected across jurisdictions.
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.This dual capability allows us to manage the full lifecycle of disputes—from global coordination to local execution.
“What makes this practice unique is the combination of technical excellence with a genuine commitment to the client. What we truly value as clients is the team’s availability, rapid response, and practical approach. They don’t limit themselves to offering theoretical solutions: they focus on real, viable results aligned with their clients’ goals and needs. This type of support makes a huge difference.”
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.
“The firm’s lawyers stand out mainly because of their ability to analyse and plan strategies. They are always focused on objectivity and being transparent with us as clients“
“LOVILL’s conflict resolution team handles important investment disputes, offering a very good experience and an acute sense of strategy.”
Representative Matters
Cross-Border Environmental Dispute
Acted as counsel for a sovereign state and its state-owned hydrocarbons company in a complex transnational dispute arising from fraudulent contractual claims premised on alleged environmental damages. LOVILL successfully argued a constitutional motion before the Supreme Court of Panama that lifted an embargo issued against the client for the full amount claimed, and secured the dismissal of all claims on jurisdictional grounds. – USD 11.5 billion
Recognition and Enforcement of Foreign Judgment
Acted as counsel for a sovereign state and its state-owned investment fund in the recognition and enforcement in Panama of a foreign judgment issued by the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council. Led a global asset-recovery strategy spanning six jurisdictions. Amount in dispute: USD 800 million
Fraud and Contract Annulment Dispute
Acted as counsel for a sovereign state and an agro-industrial corporation in parallel proceedings concerning an alleged contractual claim and a counter-action seeking annulment of the purported contract on grounds of fraud. LOVILL secured a landmark appellate victory annulling the fraudulent contract, an award of more than USD 60 million in restitution plus costs. Amount in dispute: USD 120 million
Investment Treaty Arbitration
Acted as local counsel for a tourism and hospitality investor in an investment arbitration claim under the Panama–United States Bilateral Investment Treaty and its Protocol. Amount in dispute: USD 100 million
ICC Arbitration – Public Hospital Project
Acted as counsel for a group of construction and engineering companies in an ICC arbitration against a sovereign state arising from contracts for the construction of three public hospitals, while coordinating parallel proceedings before the U.S. federal courts. The matter involves complex jurisdictional objections and questions of state contractual liability. Amount in dispute: USD 40 million
Real Estate Financing Dispute
Acted as counsel for two foreign real estate investment groups in a dispute with a syndicate of financial institutions concerning alleged breaches of loan and trust agreements tied to a landmark mixed-use commercial property. Amount in dispute: USD 350 million
Concession Arbitration – Waste Management
Acted as counsel for a waste-management concessionaire in an international arbitration under CeCAP Rules against a state entity arising from the operation of the country’s principal landfill, involving claims for unpaid debt, retained equipment, and damages. Amount in dispute: USD 66 million
Infrastructure Arbitration – Urban Rail Project
Acted as counsel for an international construction joint venture responsible for a landmark urban rail project in an international arbitration under CeCAP Rules. Amount in dispute: USD 22 million
Professional Liability Litigation
Acted as counsel for a leading architectural firm and its principal in a high-profile civil liability action, involving extensive expert evidence in architecture, construction, and damages. Amount in dispute: USD 8 million
Cross-Border Estate Litigation
Acted as counsel for private individuals in multijurisdictional estate litigation with cross-border asset coordination across five jurisdictions. Amount in dispute: USD 20 million
Commercial Dispute – Consumer Goods Logistics
Acted as counsel for a multinational consumer goods company in a dispute with its national logistics operator, deploying a multi-tier strategy of negotiation, conciliation, and ICC arbitration that produced an amicable settlement preserving the parties’ commercial relationship. Amount in dispute: USD 13 million
Commercial Lease Arbitration
Acted as counsel for a shopping mall operator in an arbitration under CeCAP Rules against a cinema operator arising from the breach and wrongful termination of a long-term lease, obtaining an asset-freezing measure and a favorable settlement. Amount in dispute: USD 7 million
Telecommunications Insolvency Proceedings
Acted as counsel for telecommunications infrastructure companies, as creditors in the insolvency and liquidation of a major telecommunications carrier, pursuing recovery of sums due under tower lease agreements through creditor hearings and negotiated asset valuations and distributions. Amount in dispute: USD 2 million
Civil and Criminal Proceedings – Hospitality Sector
Acted as counsel for two private individuals in parallel civil and criminal proceedings against an international hotel chain. Amount in dispute: USD 6 million
Environmental Administrative Proceedings
Acted as counsel for an environmental NGO in administrative actions against unauthorized residential developments in a protected valley, in one of the first cases invoking Panama’s rights-of-nature legislation. LOVILL obtained the suspension of the project, fines against the developer, and the opening of a formal environmental investigation. Amount in dispute: USD 5 million.
How can we help you?
We advise on complex and cross-border matters with a strategic, business-oriented approach.
Contact us to begin the conversation.
