Patrick Sherrington and Giles Hutt of Hogan Lovells describe the challenges facing litigation parties today.

The International Who’s Who of Commercial Litigators has brought together three of the leading practitioners in the world to discuss key issues facing lawyers today.

For the first time, corporates operating in the UK will be exposed to criminal liability, punishable by an unlimited fine, for failing to prevent bribery (the Corporate Offence). It is this new offence which presents significant challenges to businesses, particularly in today’s tougher enforcement climate. This article considers the Corporate Offence and what corporates can do to prepare.

Who's Who Legal brings together three of the world's top litigators to discuss the rise of alternative dispute resolution, third party funding regulation and cost issues.

The International Who’s Who of Commercial Litigators has brought together five of the leading practitioners in the world to discuss the key issues facing litigators today.

Litigation before the local courts is restricted to UAE nationals, and as a result, local firms dominate the litigation listings. International firms are, however, starting to make their mark on the scene, and are able to work on international matters and appear before the courts at the Dubai International Financial Centre, which counts as an independent jurisdiction. These parallel outlets allow local and international firms to excel in the litigation sphere despite the apparent restrictions.

Illinois's litigators are renowned worldwide as among the best in the business, frequently acting in big-ticket, high-profile cases such as the trial and conviction of press tycoon Conrad Black. Large firms exist alongside specialist boutiques in a competitive market, and 33 lawyers from 12 firms make the cut in this year's rankings.

Dispute resolution is a central part of the service that law firms offer their clients, and this often takes the form of commercial litigation. The research for this chapter identifies 466 individuals in 50 countries as litigators of the highest proficiency, reflecting the depth and geographical breadth of the expertise in this field of law.

Litigation is big business in Florida and the state has produced many fine lawyers both as part of large firms and in focused boutiques. Greenberg Traurig LLP is the best represented firm, with five lawyers listed. This international firm’s worldwide links, deep bench strength and statewide coverage mean that the litigation department works like “a well-oiled machine”.

Singapore’s common law background makes it a perfect bridge between West and East, able to relate to foreign legal systems and keep abreast of changes in international legislation. The city-state’s litigation lawyers have created a strong tradition of excellence in the field and they are often called to participate in complex cross-border actions all over Asia and the rest of the world.

Litigation is big business in California, and this is reflected by the number of practitioners dedicated to this area, and the amount of boutique firms with a formidable presence in the state.

Texas boasts a phenomenal amount of litigation talent – 22 firms receive special mention here because of the quality of their lawyers. Vinson & Elkins LLP is a national litigation firm with five US offices – three of which are in Texas. The Texan heavyweight’s litigation section has been described as “a force to be reckoned with” on the national and international stage, with contributors noting its handling of complex cases, especially in the energy sector.

Chicago enjoys a reputation for the robustness and professional excellence of its commercial litigation fraternity. Typically, the city’s mid- to large-sized firms have used commercial litigation practices as the bedrock of their operations, with healthy competition from numerous specialist boutiques.