Arbitration and Litigation Castro Barros sees arbitration as an important option to resolve disputes in timely fashion by adjudicators conversant in the technicalities of the issues involved. The Office has acted in many cases of mediation and arbitration, both in Brazil and the international arena, such as under the auspices of the International Chamber of Commerce in Paris. Its international mediation and arbitration experience includes cases in Portugal, Argentina, Venezuela, Paraguay, Chile, Ecuador, the United States and France. Castro Barros has been one of the leading law firms in Brazil in the development of this modality of dispute resolution, being particularly active in cases involving banking and finance. Besides arbitration, Castro Barros litigates on behalf of clients in all administrative spheres and instances, up to the Brazilian Supreme Court. Below are some examples showing the breadth of the Office’s litigation experience. Declaratory suits involving environmental questions; Recovery of credits; Corporate questions; Homologation and execution of foreign judicial and arbitration decisions in Brazil; Antitrust, anti-dumping and unfair competition; Civil liability, including material damages and pain and suffering; Maritime and aeronautical questions; Leasing; Operations involving financial institutions; Bankruptcy, court reorganization and liquidation, particularly of national and international financial institutions; Insurance questions; Commercial representation contracts; Representation of car makers in matters associated with relations with dealership networks; Consumer complaints, particularly against auto makers and department stores; Contract rescissions in all sectors of the economy; Real estate matters; Credit titles; and Civil construction. The litigation team of Castro Barros evaluates the probability of success and the likely costs, benefits and time frame in litigation for both plaintiffs and defendants. Besides the above, Castro Barros traditionally assists may financial conglomerates with matters before the Brazilian Securities Commission (CVM), Central Bank and National Financial System Appellate Council.