Disputes Involving the Public Sector

Consequently, we have the legal, organisational and political insight required to advise clients in connection with litigation and other disputes involving the public sector.

Disputes, including lawsuits, proceedings before complaints boards and settlement negotiations, involving public authorities are special in nature because public administration is based on the principle of legality and is subject to political control. Therefore, insight into the political and organisational context is required to provide top-quality legal advice to the parties to a dispute which involves the public sector.

Litigation on behalf of and against the public sector

At DLA Piper, we represent both public authorities and private-sector companies in lawsuits against the public sector. Our insight into the public sector coupled with our commercial understanding delivers results. For many years now, our public law specialists have acted as permanent advisors to municipalities, regions as well as municipal companies and other public-sector companies. Consequently, we have profound experience in navigating the political landscape, including advocating before political bodies, and we have in-depth knowledge of the political processes.

Litigation on behalf of the public sector

At DLA Piper, we are very experienced in representing public-sector clients and companies before the courts, complaints boards, etc. We therefore also appreciate the special expectations that exist and the special interests to be safeguarded when the public sector is a party to such proceedings, such as political interests and public awareness. We are highly experienced in advising clients in negotiations and, in our experience, disputes can often be resolved without litigation.

Litigation against the public sector

We also represent private-sector companies in lawsuits against government and other public authorities. An increasing number of companies build a substantial part of their business on cooperation with the public sector. Cooperation with the public sector significantly differs in a number of areas from cooperation with private-sector companies. This is due to public regulation and, not least, the political system in which the public authorities operate. Our profound knowledge of public-sector work methods and political processes affords us a unique possibility of giving top-quality and relevant advice to companies which find themselves in a dispute with a government or public authority. It should be mentioned that we often advise our clients to bring out the heavy artillery already at the administrative stage since, as a result of the administrative law rules, it is easier to prevail over the state before a board than in a district court.