Choosing a lawyer can feel straightforward until a dispute gets real, a contract breaks down, cashflow is threatened, or your business reputation is on the line. At that point, the type of firm you hire matters. A litigation law firm is built for conflict, procedure, evidence, and high-stakes decision-making. A general practice often covers a wider range of everyday legal needs, and may litigate as one part of a broader offering.

This guide explains the practical differences, how each approach affects your risk and costs, and how to decide what fits your situation in Jamaica.

What a litigation law firm typically does

A litigation-focused firm concentrates on disputes, whether they end up in court, arbitration, mediation, or negotiated settlement. The work is not only about arguing in front of a judge. It is also about using procedure, evidence, and strategy to move a matter to the best available outcome.

Common litigation tasks include:

• Assessing claims and defences, including chances of success and key risks

• Preserving evidence, interviewing witnesses, and preparing witness statements

• Drafting and responding to pleadings and applications

• Managing disclosure (discovery), interrogatories, and other procedural steps

• Handling urgent relief such as injunctions or freezing orders (where available)

• Representing clients at hearings, trials, and appeals

• Advising on settlement and alternative dispute resolution (ADR) strategy

In many firms, litigators also advise on risk prevention (for example, how to structure agreements to reduce dispute exposure), but their core capability is dispute execution.

What a general practice law firm typically does

A general practice firm provides legal services across a broader spectrum, often handling a mix of personal and business matters. Some general practices do litigate, but litigation may not be the dominant focus, and the firm may not be structured around intensive dispute work.

General practice commonly includes:

• Conveyancing and property matters

• Wills, probate, and estate planning

• Basic commercial agreements and advisory work

• Employment issues and HR support

• Debt recovery and smaller claims

• Company incorporations and routine corporate filings

For many individuals and small businesses, a general practice is a good first stop, especially when the issue is routine, time-sensitive, and not expected to escalate into complex proceedings.

Key differences: litigation law firm vs general practice

Both models can be excellent. The right choice depends on the problem you are trying to solve and how quickly it could become adversarial.

When a litigation law firm is usually the better choice

If the dispute could materially impact your finances, operations, or reputation, you generally want a team that lives in the dispute environment every day.

1) The matter is complex, high-value, or precedent-setting

Examples include shareholder disputes, major breach of contract claims, professional negligence, construction disputes, banking litigation, or claims involving multiple parties.

Complexity is not only about the money. It can also come from:

• Large volumes of documents (emails, invoices, internal chats)

• Technical issues requiring experts (engineering, accounting, digital forensics)

• Multiple legal regimes (contract, tort, competition, regulatory)

2) You need urgent applications or strong procedural control

Some disputes require fast action to prevent further harm, preserve assets, or secure evidence. Even where the ultimate goal is settlement, the ability to move confidently in procedural steps can affect bargaining power.

3) The dispute involves arbitration, mediation, or specialised advocacy

Many commercial disputes never reach a full trial. They settle, mediate, or proceed through arbitration. Litigation-focused teams typically spend more time on:

• Evaluating settlement ranges using evidence strength and procedural leverage

• Drafting arbitration clauses and enforcing them when challenged

• Preparing for cross-examination and expert evidence, even in ADR settings

4) You anticipate an appeal (or need to defend one)

Appeals are not simply “a second trial.” They are technical, time-bound, and driven by the record, legal arguments, and standards of review. If appellate risk is real, it often pays to have litigation counsel involved early so the matter is “appeal-proofed” from the start.

5) Your business operates in regulated or cross-border environments

Disputes in regulated sectors, or disputes with overseas parties, often involve extra layers of compliance, data handling, and strategic coordination.

For example, travel businesses dealing with cross-border customers might face disputes tied to cancellations, refunds, or vendor performance, alongside operational issues like visa processing. In that context, your legal advice may sit alongside operational partners such as an eVisa processing platform like SimpleVisa, which can help streamline border-crossing administration while counsel focuses on risk allocation in contracts and dispute strategy.

When a general practice firm may be enough

General practice can be the right fit when the issue is contained, the stakes are moderate, and the likely resolution is straightforward.

The dispute is early-stage and likely to settle quickly

If your main need is a well-written demand letter, basic negotiation, or a simple repayment plan, a general practice firm can deliver excellent value.

The matter is routine or highly localised

Some issues are common and process-driven, for example straightforward debt recovery, landlord and tenant matters, or small claims where the facts are not heavily disputed.

You need one firm to handle several connected needs

Sometimes the dispute is only one part of a broader set of legal tasks, such as property transactions, probate, and family-related issues. In those cases, having one general firm may reduce coordination overhead.

How to choose: practical questions to ask before you hire

Rather than trying to label a firm, focus on whether the team in front of you is equipped for the dispute you are facing.

Ask about relevant dispute experience, not just the practice area

“Commercial litigation” is broad. A better question is whether they have handled disputes like yours, for example shareholder oppression claims, injunction applications, data misuse claims, or banking enforcement matters.

Ask who will run the file day-to-day

Find out whether a senior attorney will lead, how work is delegated, and how you will be updated. A litigation matter can move quickly, so clarity on communication is part of risk management.

Ask how they approach settlement

Strong litigators do not only fight. They assess leverage, develop a realistic settlement strategy, and know when to push and when to resolve.

Ask how they manage evidence and documents

Many cases are won or lost on documents. Ask what the firm needs from you, how they preserve evidence, and how they handle confidentiality and data.

Ask about costs in a way that matches litigation reality

Litigation costs are often stage-based. A good discussion includes:

• What the likely phases are (pre-action, pleadings, interim applications, disclosure, trial)

• What events could increase costs (urgent applications, extensive disclosure, experts)

• Whether there are options to narrow the dispute early

A firm should be transparent about cost drivers, while also acknowledging that disputes can evolve as new facts emerge.

Jamaica-specific considerations that can affect your decision

Jamaican litigation is shaped by procedural rules, court scheduling realities, and the strategic value of ADR.

Procedure matters, because it shapes timeline and leverage

Civil disputes depend heavily on procedure, deadlines, and compliance. If you want a matter progressed efficiently, or you need strong control over interim steps, litigation capability becomes especially important.

If you want to read primary legal materials and judgments, CaribbeanLII is a useful public resource for Jamaican case law and legislation.

ADR is often part of the pathway, not an alternative

Mediation and negotiated settlement can save time and cost, but they still require careful preparation. Parties who show up to mediation with weak evidence organisation or unclear legal positions often settle on poor terms.

Enforcement should be discussed early

Even a strong judgment is only valuable if it can be enforced. Enforcement tools, asset tracing considerations, and cross-border realities should inform your strategy from the start.

The bottom line

A general practice can be ideal for routine legal needs and contained disputes. A litigation law firm is built for high-stakes conflict, procedural complexity, and advocacy, including arbitration and appeals. If your matter could escalate, or if the outcome materially affects your business, it is usually worth engaging litigators early, even if the case ultimately settles.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a litigation law firm only for going to court? No. Many litigators spend significant time on negotiation, mediation, and arbitration. Litigation skill is often about building leverage and managing procedure, not only trial advocacy.

Can a general practice firm handle litigation well? Sometimes, yes. Many general practices have strong litigators. The key is whether the team has recent, relevant dispute experience and enough capacity to manage deadlines, evidence, and hearings.

When should I switch from a general practice to a litigation-focused team? If the dispute escalates (formal proceedings, urgent applications, complex evidence, significant financial exposure), or if you anticipate an appeal, it is sensible to consult litigators.

Does hiring a litigation law firm mean my matter will become more aggressive? Not necessarily. A strong litigation team should be able to calibrate strategy, pursue settlement where appropriate, and still be prepared to escalate if needed.

What documents should I gather before meeting a litigation lawyer? Bring the contract(s), key emails and messages, invoices and payment records, timeline notes, names of witnesses, and any evidence of loss (financial impact, reputational harm, operational disruption).

Talk to a disputes team in Jamaica

If you are weighing whether to brief a litigation law firm or a general practice, a short consultation can clarify your options, your exposure, and the most efficient path forward. Henlin Gibson Henlin is a leading Jamaican law firm with experience across dispute-focused areas including commercial litigation, arbitration and mediation, appellate work, compliance and risk, and related advisory support.

Learn more or get in touch at Henlin Gibson Henlin.