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.
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
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
Lawyer qualification
Maître Maglo reviews your situation, identifies the legal issues and confirms the feasibility and exact scope of the engagement.
- 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
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
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.
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
Explore our key areas of expertise
Disputes and conflict resolution
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.
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
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
- 2009
- at the Bar since 2009
- 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.
A holding company and a residence permit, in a single process
Incorporation of a SOPARFI for a non-resident investor, combined with obtaining their residence permit. A single point of contact across both fronts.
Permit obtained in 6 weeksA similar matter? Companies & governanceFounders protected before the funding round
Structuring a shareholders’ agreement and governance for a young company with several founders, ahead of a funding round.
Shareholders’ agreement signed before the roundA similar matter? Debt recoveryA debt recovered across borders
Cross-border recovery of unpaid debts for an SME, through an order for payment and coordination with a foreign colleague.
Receivable recovered in full (100%)A similar matter? Employment lawAn executive defended before the Labour Tribunal
Supporting an executive in a contested dismissal, from strategy to representation at the hearing.
Case argued at the hearingA similar matter? ContractsA secured international distribution
Negotiating and securing an international framework distribution agreement, from liabilities through to the competent jurisdiction.
Competent jurisdiction securedA similar matter?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 firmExpertise & 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
Testimonials
What our clients say
Had a consultation with Me Cora Maglo about my Luxembourg Blue Card application. She explained everything clearly: the process, timeline and documents I need, and helped me with my wife’s family reunification too. Honest and practical advice. I felt confident after talking to her.Farshid Pourlatifi
J’ai beaucoup apprécié le service de Maître Maglo : son sérieux, sa sympathie, son professionnalisme et sa disponibilité. Toujours répondu rapidement et clairement, avec des conseils pragmatiques, sans pousser à des procédures longues et coûteuses lorsqu’elles ne sont pas justifiées.Nathan Wirtzfeld
Super assistance and great support! Highly recommend. All my questions were answered, Cora and her team kept me updated all the time. I will definitely reach out to them next time for my residency.Tatiana
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.
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