Carson McDowell’s commercial litigation and dispute resolution team is reputed for its strengths in the manufacturing, infrastructure and agri-food sectors as well as the public sector, advising clients in disputes related to administrative law. Contentious supply and contract disputes and breach of directors’ duties make up the team’s caseload. Declan Magee heads the department while Hugh McGrattan leads the professional indemnity team. Peter Guzhar litigates shareholder, IP rights and supply disputes for blue-chip clients. Lucy Clarke was promoted in September 2024 and is a procurement specialist, while Helen Cosgrove is also recommended.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Accolades
Client satisfaction: Lawyer & team quality
Client satisfaction: Sector knowledge
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- ‘What impressed me with Declan was that he was clearly very plugged into both the legal and the wider business networks in Northern Ireland, which meant that he was able to give us excellent insight and advice based on the particularities of the local market.’
- ‘Declan Magee has a supreme knowledge of the court system and how best to navigate it. He has a genuine interest in his clients and their industry. He will go the extra mile and has the desire to win.’
- ‘Carson McDowell is an excellent firm and acts as a one-stop shop, making them an ideal partner firm. They are very responsive and consistently deliver desired outcomes, devising innovative solutions. Could not recommend this firm highly enough!’
- ‘The team is willing to listen to their clients and gather industry-specific information, which increases their impact.’
- ‘Hugh McGrattan is the market leader in his field - an excellent solicitor who is the go-to in the industry. Declan Magee is a first-rate corporate solicitor - responsive to clients' needs and adept at balancing the needs of all parties to deliver good outcomes.’
- ‘Carson McDowell provides a highly professional service. The work that we engage in requires significant attention to detail and requires the firm to consistently keep abreast of relevant jurisprudential developments in a complex and unique area of law. We often require advice on urgent matters at short notice, and the firm has the capacity to respond as required.’
Key clients
- DAF Trucks N.V.
- Mediahuis UK Limited
- CGI IT UK Ltd
Work highlights
Acted in a landmark procurement dispute for IT and business consulting service firm CGI IT UK Limited.
Achieved a settlement for one of NI’s main utilities providers in relation to a long-standing contractual dispute in relation to the provision of fleet vehicles.
Acted for multinational publishing group Mediahuis in the first successful strike down of an Act of the Northern Irish Assembly.
Lawyers
Hall of Fame
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Leading partners
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Leading associates
Leading associates with regular involvement in their team's key work, and recognition from peers or clients as being ones to watch.
Helen Cosgrove
Practice head
Declan Magee; Hugh McGrattan
Other key lawyers
Peter Guzhar; Lucy Clarke; Helen Cosgrove