Litigation, arbitration, mediation

Litigation is one of our favorites and hallmarks. Where negotiations fail or courts proceedings are unavoidable, we represent clients of all sizes in commercial disputes before courts and before arbitral tribunals in Finland, Germany and other jurisdictions. Especially in disputes relating to Finnish, German-Finnish and international matters our clients not only benefit from our national and international experience and our network of reliable litigation practitioners in other jurisdictions but also from the fact that our firm combines the practice, language skills and legal expertise of both a Finnish and a German law firm.

Court and arbitration proceedings can be costly and time-consuming work and efforts might be necessary. Unfair competition, breaches of contract and violation of equity or immaterial property rights require immediate action in order to protect own interest and to avoid or minimize damages. We ensure that our clients are thoroughly made aware of costs and risks involved in court or arbitration proceedings. It goes without saying that when it comes to cross-border disputes involving a Finnish and a German party our advantage of being at home in both Finnish and German law and language contributes to cost and work efficiency.

We at VSK encourage clients to settle commercial disputes as far as it may be reasonable and represent clients in settlement negotiations.

Collecting receivables and considerations, compensation of damages, enforcing court decisions

Collecting receivables, ensuring considerations, pursuing claims for compensation of damages and enforcing decisions of courts and arbitrational awards in Finland , Germany and other jurisdictions has always been part of our litigation practice.

A reminder and other measures taken to collect payments or considerations overdue as well as making a claim for compensation of damages are to be considered the preliminary stage of a court or arbitration proceeding as there is nothing else to do should the default or claim remain unsettled. As a consequence thereof and in order to avoid later and most likely expensive difficulties or obstacles, we examine matters and claims together with our client and assist in curing possible weaknesses thereof so that we may then come straight to the point in settlement negotiations or in further pursuing the claim.

Dispute avoidance

In the course of business and within contractual relationships the possibility of a later dispute or of court or arbitration proceedings may never be excluded, and even well-balanced contracts and the avoidance of misunderstandings will only reduce the risk of a dispute. We therefore believe, that it is well worth the effort to pay proper attention to venue, applicable law and enforceability of court decisions or arbitral awards whenever entering into contracts and commercial transactions.