Litigation and International Arbitration in Distribution Disputes

When negotiation fails, we enforce or defend your rights – before the commercial chambers of the German regional courts or before international arbitral tribunals.

Court proceedings in Germany

• Staged actions for a statement of accounts and payment of commission
• Indemnity claims under Section 89b HGB, directly or by analogy
• Preliminary injunctions, e.g. regarding non-compete obligations
• Damages following unjustified termination
• Recognition and enforcement of foreign judgments

Since April 2025, German federal states may establish commercial courts with proceedings conducted entirely in English for major commercial disputes.

International arbitration

In cross-border distribution, arbitration is often the best route to an enforceable decision: awards can be enforced in more than 170 states under the New York Convention. Arbitration also offers neutrality, confidentiality, a free choice of language and the option of appointing arbitrators with technical expertise.

• Drafting arbitration clauses: institution, seat, language, number of arbitrators, emergency relief
• Representation in DIS, ICC, Swiss Rules, VIAC, LCIA, SCC, SIAC, HKIAC and ad hoc proceedings
• Setting-aside proceedings and enforcement of awards in Germany and abroad
• Mediation and expert determination as faster alternatives

Caution: an arbitration clause combined with a non-EU governing law may be disregarded by German courts if it would deprive an EU agent of the mandatory indemnity.