Practice 01
Litigation / ADR (Alternative Dispute Resolution)
Strategy first. Negotiation where possible. Decisive advocacy when required.
How we help
- Commercial and contractual disputes
- Debt recovery and enforcement of judgments
- Domestic and institutional commercial arbitration
- Mediation and other alternative dispute resolution
- Constitutional, fundamental rights and regulatory matters
- Real estate and land title disputes
Our approach
Every dispute begins with an honest assessment of position, cost, and exposure. Before a single process is filed, OAA Law maps the commercial outcome the client actually wants — payment, release, performance, or a clean exit — and works backwards to the fastest route there.
Where a negotiated settlement or arbitration will protect value better than litigation, we say so plainly. Where the other side is trading on delay, we file, we move, and we push the matter to hearing without drift.
Because the Principal Partner has sat on both sides of the table — as counsel in chambers and as in-house commercial lead in the oil and gas sector — our advocacy is written for judges and arbitrators but built around commercial reality.
Relevant experience
Two decades of contentious practice spanning fundamental human rights applications, admiralty matters, election petitions, rights of occupancy and land title disputes, and commercial arbitration for corporate clients. OAA Law's arbitration practice is led by a Member of the Nigerian Institute of Chartered Arbitrators (MCArb) and an Associate of the Institute of Chartered Mediators and Conciliators.
Frequently asked
- How long does a commercial dispute take in the Lagos courts?
- A straightforward undefended debt claim can conclude in a few months; a fully contested commercial suit commonly runs one to three years at first instance. We give a realistic timeline and cost range at the outset, and we always test whether arbitration or a negotiated settlement will get you paid faster.
- Can we arbitrate if our contract has no arbitration clause?
- Yes — parties can agree to submit an existing dispute to arbitration by a separate submission agreement, even after the dispute arises. We regularly draft these where both sides want speed and confidentiality.
- Do you take matters outside Lagos?
- We do. Our practice has handled contentious matters in Port Harcourt, Abuja and beyond, and we instruct and supervise local agents where a matter sits in another jurisdiction.
Book a consultation with OAA Law.
Discuss your litigation / adr (alternative dispute resolution) matter directly with the Principal Partner.