Our People

• University College Dublin (BCL)

• Insolvency Commission of Association Internationale des Jeunes Avocats (AIJA)
• The Irish Society of Insolvency Practitioners

Declan leads MH & C’s large and diverse Litigation Practice. His personal focus is on commercial litigation and insolvency. His experience includes many high value contractual and tortious disputes, commonly with an international component. He advises regularly regarding shareholder disputes and in relation to warranty claims flowing from corporate acquisitions or disposals.

Declan frequently acts in complex insolvency matters and fraud related litigation, often for financial institutions. He also acts in property related disputes, litigation regarding wills and estates and in professional negligence claims. He has also acted in a number of disputes involving the application of the Commercial Agents Directive and other EU regulations and directives.

Areas of Expertise:

• Commercial litigation
• Insolvency

Speaking Engagements and Teaching:

• Declan is also a course tutor in insolvency at the Law Society of Ireland.

Recommendations:

Chambers Global – The World’s Leading Lawyers, Chambers & Partners, 2012.
Declan is recommended as a Leader in his field in the ‘Dispute Resolution’ and 'Insolvency' categories. Practice head Declan Black comes highly recommended by sources. His recent case highlights include representing the Moriarty Tribunal in proceedings brought against it by Dermot Desmond.  His clients say he is a “considered, solid and astute lawyer who gives us commercially tailored advice.”

Chambers Global – The World’s Leading Lawyers, Chambers & Partners, 2011.
Declan is recommended as a Leader in his field in the ‘Dispute Resolution’ category. ‘Declan Black is championed by clients as a "very shrewd and effective litigator." His skills were on display defending a British Virgin Islands-registered feeder fund in a multimillion-euro litigation arising from the Madoff fraud.’  He is also recommended in the ‘Insurance: Dispute Resolution’ category, where peers describe him as ‘a safe pair of hands’ and ‘an impressive guy’ to whom they would refer work in the case of a conflict.

Chambers Global – The World’s Leading Lawyers, Chambers & Partners, 2010.
Declan is recommended as a Leader in his field in the ‘Dispute Resolution’ category. Declan is ‘especially active within the sector and is rated highly by clients, who say: “He gives practical and commercial advice that is tailored to precisely suit the situation.” Within other fields of commercial litigation, sources call Black a “first-class, commercially astute and highly experienced lawyer.”  Declan is also recommended as a Leader in the field of Insurance.  ‘Declan Black is a well known commercial litigator who tackles a broad array of disputes’.

Chambers Global - The World's Leading Lawyers, Chambers and Partners, 2009.
Declan is recommended as a Leader in his Field in the ‘Dispute Resolution’ category. Declan is described as “An aggressive, sharp and skilled negotiator,” he impresses clients with his attention to detail and ability to act as a generalist.

Chambers Europe – Europes Leading Lawyers, Chambers and Partners, 2012.
Declan is recommended as a Leader in his Field in the ‘Dispute Resolution', 'Insolvency' and 'Insurance' categories. "Practice head Declan Black comes highly recommended by sources."Declan Black's wide practice includes experience in the contentious insurance sphere. He is praised as a 'superb tactician and a formidable litigator – he is as good as they come'.", "Declan Black leads the litigation and insolvency teams and is highlighted by sources as one of the group's key partners. His clients say he is a “considered, solid and astute lawyer who gives us commercially tailored advice'."

Chambers Europe – Europes Leading Lawyers, Chambers and Partners, 2011.
Declan is recommended as a Leader in his Field in the ‘Dispute Resolution’ category. ‘Declan Black is a highly regarded litigator and an insolvency expert. He recently represented an Irish subsidiary of Rosneft in defence of freezing and disclosure orders worth EUR400 million.’

Legal 500 – 2011.
Declan is recommended as a ‘Leading Individual’ in the field of Dispute Resolution.  “Head Declan Black is widely thought of as a ‘leader in his
field’.”  He is also recommended in the ‘Insolvency & Restructuring’ category where he ‘delivers direct, straight-talking and experienced advice’.

Legal 500 – 2010.
Declan is recommended by Legal 500 in the field of, Dispute Resolution, where he is praised as‘timely, precise and knowledgeable’  He is also recommended in the ‘Insolvency & Restructuring field as ‘very technical yet pragmatic’

Legal 500 – 2009.
Declan is recommended by Legal 500 under the heading of ‘Dispute Resolution’. It is stated the team at Mason Hayes & Curran shines in insolvency and banking litigation under the leadership of the ‘approachable’ Declan Black.

Which Lawyer?  Practical Law Company, 2010.
Declan is endorsed as a Lawyer in the area of ‘Dispute Resolution’ and ‘Restructuring & Insolvency’.

Which Lawyer? Practical Law Company 2009.
Declan is highly recommended as a lawyer in the area of ‘Dispute Resolution’. Declan is described as a “well-known insolvency law expert also an experienced commercial litigator.”

‘Who’s Who Legal’, The International Who’s Who of Business Lawyers, 2011
Declan Black is recommended as one of the Leading Irish lawyers in his field in the ‘International Who’s Who of Commercial Litigators’.

‘Who’s Who Legal’, The International Who’s Who of Business Lawyers, 2010.
Declan Black is recommended as one of the Leading Irish lawyers in his field in the ‘International Who’s Who of Commercial Litigators’.