The Legal 500

‘A market leader’ for high-level disputes, Nagy és Trócsányi Ügyvédi Iroda has ‘strong technical and procedural experience’. ‘Tough litigator’ and celebrated arbitrator Péter Nagy is representing OTP Bank in an ongoing dispute with Nitrokémia, which he also advised regarding a US class action claim. Zoltán Varga acted for BNP Paribas in a number of disputes with a Luxembourg entity, and György Kiszely represented iForex in matters before the Hungarian Financial Supervisory Authority.

Oppenheim’s busy contentious practice handles arbitrations and large-scale litigation, including representing BorsodChem before the ICC, and Bombardier Transportation in arbitration at the Hungarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Tamás Éless is ‘particularly good’ for complex disputes, and Ulrike Rein is ‘the heart of the litigation and arbitration practice’. Other clients include Holcim and Erste Bank.

Szecskay Attorneys at Law is ‘a strong local firm’ with excellent credentials in commercial arbitration and ICSID disputes. The team shows ‘impressive legal expertise’ and ‘great business acumen’. Practice head András Szecskay acted alongside Laurent Niddam in an UNCITRAL arbitration for a pharmaceuticals company. András Dániel László, who was promoted to the partnership in January 2012, has ‘a down-to-earth, solution-oriented approach’.

CMS provides ‘highly innovative, business-oriented advice’, and is always ‘well prepared’ in high-stakes disputes. The team has experienced an increase in construction disputes, and recently advised Siemens in an international arbitration matter against Budapest Transport Company concerning the Budapest Metro Line 4 project. Zsolt Okányi has ‘great analytical skills’, ‘excellent contacts’ and ‘an outstanding sense of strategy’.

Faludi Wolf Theiss’ key focus is on energy and natural resources disputes, and senior associate Gábor Bárdosi regularly represents multinationals in arbitrations concerning supply contracts and damages claims. Name partner Zoltán Faludi recently acted for a European energy corporation in ICSID arbitration.

Kajtár Takács Hegymegi-Barakonyi Baker & McKenzie is a leading competition litigation practice, particularly in agricultural sector cases. It recently advised the Hungarian arm of a multinational on over 100 consumer protection cases in the Hungarian administrative courts. József Antal, who recently acted for a US client in a dispute with the Hungarian state, and Zoltán Hegymegi-Barakonyi are recommended.

Lakatos, Köves and Partners’ ‘very responsive’ and ‘attentive’ team is ‘a strong player’. Péter Köves continued to advise SUEZ Environnement on compensation claims relating to seized assets, and Péter Lakatos acted for Nokia in a dispute with Artisjus, the Hungarian authors’ rights society. Other highlights included representing Antenna Hungária at the Supreme Court, and HSBC in opposing a HUF800m fine imposed by the Hungarian Financial Supervisory Authority (HFSA).

Réczicza White & Case LLP’s ‘good team’ has experienced an increase in commercial litigation instructions. High-profile arbitrations included representing the Republic of Hungary in an ICSID dispute with Vigotop Limited, concerning a proposed casino development. ‘Creative adviser’ Milán Kohlrusz regularly acts for Budapest Airport in noise pollution claims and administrative disputes.

Siegler Law Office/Weil, Gotshal & Manges’ ‘clever’ team works closely with colleagues in Washington DC and New York. It recently represented the Hungarian government in an ICSID arbitration against Dan Cake, and acted for MVM in a long-running case against two Serbian electricity companies. László Nagy heads the team.

Andrékó Kinstellar provides ‘good-quality advice’ on domestic law cases, and has also recently acted in European arbitration. Ádám Máttyus represented Mars before the Hungarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s Court of Arbitration. Colas Group is another key client.

bnt Attorneys-at-law advises on contentious matters under German and Hungarian law, and is noted for its ‘excellent’ responsiveness, ‘extensive research’ and ‘good management of complex cases’. Levente Szabó leads the practice.

CHSH Dezsö is ‘very good’ for contentious public procurement and real estate matters. Gergely Baross and team head Ilona Rónay-Csordás advised Hochtief Airport in construction disputes concerning a €150m development, and recently acted for KBC Bank in construction litigation.

Newly appointed managing partner Richárd Eördögh leads Eördögh Bird & Bird’s disputes practice, which largely represents IT and retail clients in IP litigation and contentious employment cases.

Erös Üqyvédi Iroda / Squire Sanders (US) LLP has an active international arbitration practice, and recently represented a Canadian investment group in an ICSID arbitration. Judit Kelemen acted for Mabofi Holdings in litigation against a Hungarian entity concerning a fraudulent transfer.

Forgó, Damjanovic & Partners Law Firm’s ‘very responsive’ team has a broad international client base and is ‘a reliable source of in-depth legal knowledge’. IP and employment litigation have been key drivers for the practice and, on the commercial disputes front, Gábor Damjanovic represented Centrope Holdings in a shareholder dispute concerning the Eurovegas casino development.

Senior associate István Jókay leads Noerr’s team, which acts for various German clients in environmental and commercial litigation. Clients include Hamburger Recycling Group and ROWE.

Szabo Kelemen & Partners Attorneys’ ‘solid’ and ‘reliable’ team represents clients in the financial services, logistics and manufacturing industries in GAFTA arbitration and domestic court proceedings. It also acted for ING in a property dispute at the Hungarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s Court of Arbitration.

VJT & Partners provides ‘good value for money’, and has ‘a commercial perspective’. It is representing a large financial services client in ongoing insurance litigation and in proceedings before the HFSA. Managing partner János Tamás Varga has ‘deep knowledge across a wide spectrum of law’.

Allen & Overy has expertise in competition and corporate matters, and has experienced an increase in administrative disputes. Arbitration group head Balázs Sahin-Tóth acted for Betclick in online betting disputes, and Zoltán Lengyel represented ING Bank before Budapest Metropolitan Court.

At Burai – Kovács & Partners, managing partner János Burai-Kovács is ‘a great arbitrator and litigation counsel’, who has substantial experience at the Hungarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s Court of Arbitration.

Senior associate Levente Csengery leads Gide Loyrette Nouel’s disputes practice, which represents the firm’s French clients before the Hungarian Tax Authority and the Labour Court. It also recently acted for a Hungarian business in a dispute regarding an unfinished waste project.

Partos & Noblet advises Alstom Transport on contentious public procurement matters, including a dispute concerning its Metro project contract with Budapest Transportation Company. Other clients include Flabeg and Aviva Investors.

Reti, Antall & Partners’ name partner László Réti leads the disputes practice, and is president of the Budapest Bar Association. He has an excellent reputation for commercial, tax and public law disputes.

Sándor Szegedi Szent-Ivány Komáromi Eversheds has played a key role in several construction disputes for clients such as Tyco and ETDE, and is also acting in competition and labour law litigation. Ágnes Szent-Ivány and Tamás Sándor are recommended.