Aller au contenu
Cerno Law FirmCERNOLAW FIRM

Litigation

Litigation lawyer in Luxembourg

When a dispute cannot be settled amicably, the firm represents you and defends your interests before the Luxembourg courts, always favouring the most effective route for you.

4,879 client reviews on GoogleRead the reviews

Legal content reviewed by Maître Cora Maglo, Avocate à la Cour, Liste I du Barreau de Luxembourg depuis 2009.

Litigation covers all the proceedings that allow a dispute to be decided by a judge. In Luxembourg, it is governed by procedural rules and strict deadlines.

The firm first assesses your prospects and the cost/benefit ratio, then advises you between negotiation, mediation and court action.

The need

A client does not pay, a partner fails to honour its commitments, a dispute threatens your business.

Bringing proceedings without a strategy or an assessment of the prospects can cost a great deal for nothing.

The risk

Many actions are subject to limitation or foreclosure periods: once they expire, the right to act is lost.

A poorly initiated proceeding, evidence presented badly or late submissions can lose an otherwise strong case.

How the firm acts

Assessment of the prospects, procedural strategy, drafting of filings and representation before the competent courts.

The firm favours negotiated solutions when they better serve your interests, without giving up firmness in proceedings.

Practice areas

When to call on the firm

  • Recovering a disputed debt through court proceedings.
  • Enforcing or terminating a contract before the court.
  • Defending your company in a commercial dispute.
  • Challenging or enforcing a court decision.

Method

Our engagement process

  1. 1

    Information intake

    You describe your need via a structured form or an initial call. Our digital tools serve only to organise this information and save time.

  2. 2

    Lawyer qualification

    Maître Maglo reviews your situation, identifies the legal issues and confirms the feasibility and exact scope of the engagement.

  3. 3

    Transparent quote

    You receive a clear fee proposal, a fixed fee or a range, before any engagement. Nothing is billed without your approval.

  4. 4

    Legal work

    The firm drafts, negotiates or litigates as required. Every deliverable is designed and approved by a lawyer admitted to the Luxembourg Bar.

  5. 5

    Tracking and delivery

    You follow your matter transparently and receive your finalised documents with the explanations you need.

Documents required

  • Contracts, correspondence and evidence of the dispute
  • Decisions or instruments already served
  • A chronology of the facts

Deliverables

  • An assessment of the prospects and the strategy
  • Procedural filings and submissions
  • Representation at the hearing

Indicative timing

Timelines depend on the court and the nature of the dispute. The firm provides a provisional timetable as soon as it takes on the matter.

Fees tailored to the matter

Fixed fee per phase or hourly rate, stated upfront. An initial assessment is carried out during the consultation.

Get a quote

Favouring the most effective solution

Before any trial, the firm assesses the prospects and often favours negotiation or a formal notice. See the formal notice and the lawyer's letter.

Commercial disputes and disputes between shareholders

Termination of a business relationship, contractual dispute, conflict between shareholders or governance deadlock: the firm represents you before the Luxembourg courts. See commercial litigation and disputes between shareholders.

Employment litigation

For employer and employee alike: dismissal, unfair dismissal, harassment and disputes before the Labour Tribunal. The deadlines there are short, so act quickly. See employment law, unfair dismissal and workplace harassment.

Debt recovery and enforcement

Recovery of debts, order for payment and enforcement (bailiff, seizure), in Luxembourg and internationally. See debt recovery, cross-border recovery and the European order for payment.

Deadlines and time bars not to be missed

Several actions are subject to strict time limits in Luxembourg; once they expire, the right to act is lost. An initial reply is provided within 48 business hours.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Do you always have to go to court?

No. The firm favours the most effective solution for you, which often runs through a **negotiation** or a **formal notice** before any court action.

What are the time limits for acting in Luxembourg?

They vary depending on the nature of the dispute. Some actions, particularly in **employment law**, become time-barred quickly: it is important to consult without delay.

How are fees set in litigation?

Most often by a fixed fee per phase or by the hour, communicated before the engagement and adjusted to the complexity.

Does the firm plead before all courts?

The firm represents its clients before the Luxembourg civil and commercial courts and coordinates cross-border proceedings where needed.

Can I recover my legal costs?

A procedural indemnity may be awarded by the judge, but it does not always cover the full fees. The firm takes this into account in its strategy.

How long do proceedings last?

It depends on the court and the complexity. The firm gives you a realistic estimate and favours the fastest routes where they exist.

Quick answer

When should you use a litigation lawyer in Luxembourg?

A litigation lawyer steps in when a dispute cannot be resolved amicably. The lawyer analyses the risks, builds a strategy of defence or attack, negotiates where possible and represents the client before the competent courts.

Our approach

A pragmatic reading of every case

Notre objectif n’est pas seulement d’expliquer la règle, mais d’identifier la solution la plus efficace pour atteindre vos objectifs. Chaque dossier est analysé sous trois angles.

Risque juridique

La règle applicable, les délais et les points de contentieux possibles.

Risque opérationnel

L’impact concret sur votre activité, vos contrats et votre organisation.

Risque financier

Le coût d’une décision, d’un litige ou d’une inaction, chiffré en amont.

Expertise

Our areas of litigation practice

Commercial litigation

  • Non-performance of contract
  • Wrongful termination
  • Supplier and customer disputes
  • Unfair competition
  • Contractual liability

Disputes between shareholders

  • Conflicts between shareholders
  • Governance deadlocks
  • Removal of directors
  • Abuse by the majority or the minority
  • Shareholders' agreements

Employment litigation

  • Dismissal
  • Gross misconduct
  • Harassment
  • Overtime
  • Severance negotiation

Judicial recovery

  • Formal notice
  • Order for payment
  • Attachments
  • Insolvency proceedings
  • Enforcement of decisions

Negotiation and mediation

  • Direct negotiation
  • Mediation
  • Collaborative law
  • Settlement protocols

Dispute prevention

  • Contract audit
  • Securing commercial relationships
  • Shareholders' agreements
  • Pre-litigation negotiation

Examples of matters handled

Proven expertise, anonymised

Dispute between shareholders

Deadlock of a company and negotiation of a secure exit.

Recovery of a commercial debt

Obtaining a settlement before the hearing.

Breach of a commercial contract

Defence of a company facing a wrongful termination.

Employer-employee litigation

Negotiation and representation before the competent courts.

Representative and anonymised examples, for illustration only. Every matter is handled and validated by a lawyer registered with the Luxembourg Bar.

They entrust us with their cases

Varied profiles, the same standard of excellence

  • Entrepreneurs setting up their company in Luxembourg
  • International investors
  • SME executives
  • International groups
  • Expatriates and international families
  • Employers recruiting foreign talent

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

How long do court proceedings take in Luxembourg?

It depends on the court and the complexity: a few weeks in summary proceedings, several months to several years on the merits. An amicable strategy often leads to a faster outcome.

Can a trial be avoided?

Often, yes. Negotiation, mediation and collaborative law make it possible to resolve many disputes without a hearing, preserving relationships and reducing costs.

What should you do in the event of wrongful termination of a contract?

React quickly: gather the evidence, send a formal notice and consider a liability claim to obtain compensation. The analysis of the termination clauses is decisive.

How do you handle a dispute between shareholders?

By analysing the rights provided in the articles of association and the agreement, then a strategy of negotiation, exit or litigation aimed at unblocking the company and protecting your interests.

What is a formal notice?

A formal letter requiring a party to perform its obligation within a set time. It often marks the starting point for interest and is a key step before any court action.

How do you enforce a court decision in Luxembourg?

Through a bailiff: service of the judgment, then enforcement measures (attachments) if the debtor does not comply voluntarily. The firm manages these steps.

Member of

Affiliations & réseaux professionnels

  • Barreau de Luxembourg
  • European Immigration Lawyers Network (EILN)
  • Union des Avocats Européens (AEA)
  • Cross Border Advisory Solutions
  • Institut Luxembourgeois des Administrateurs (ILA)
  • Association Luxembourgeoise des Juristes de Droit Bancaire (ALJB)

Free guide · PDF

The practical guide to secure your next step

Checklists, key steps and points to watch, prepared by the firm. Get it instantly, no strings attached.

  • The key steps, explained simply
  • The documents to prepare
  • The common mistakes to avoid
Written by a lawyer 100% free No commitment Instant download

Get it now

Free. No credit card. Unsubscribe in one click.

Written by Maître Cora Maglo, attorney at law.

Free diagnostic

An ongoing dispute? Assess your chances in 2 minutes.

A few questions are enough to identify your need and the right legal answer, with no sign-up and no commitment.

Choosing Cerno means choosing over 17 years of experience

2013
independent firm
Barreau de Luxembourg
2009
at the Bar since 2009
4,8/5
79 Google reviews
Read reviews
7
working languages
100+
companies & SOPARFI structured
200+
visas & residence permits obtained
170
client nationalities served
300+
due diligence reviews conducted

Around twenty M&A transactions supported · one of the best visa approval rates in Luxembourg.

Since 2009, we devote our expertise to your satisfaction: more than 85% of our clients renew their trust in us.

Our work

Representative matters, anonymised

Typical examples of engagements handled by the firm, presented in an anonymised and illustrative manner. Each matter is handled and validated by a lawyer registered with the Luxembourg Bar.

Typical, anonymised examples, for illustration only. They do not prejudge the outcome of a matter, which depends on each situation.

Entrust my matter to the firm

Expertise & authority

Ongoing review and analysis of Luxembourg and European case law

Avocate à la Cour, List I of the Luxembourg Bar since 2009

Trained at the London School of Economics, formerly at Clifford Chance and Bonn Steichen & Partners

Member of international networks: EILN, AEA, Cross Border Advisory Solutions

Every matter handled and approved by a lawyer admitted to the Bar

Support in 7 languages, clients of 170 nationalities

They talk about us

The firm referenced and cited

Professional directories, business press and legal publications where Cerno Law Firm and Maître Cora Maglo are referenced.

Let’s talk about your matter

Describe your situation: you receive an initial analysis and a transparent quote, with no obligation. One dedicated lawyer, from start to finish.