International Trade

Our clients choose us to guide them through the complexities of import and export, sanctions, trade controls and associated regulations, as well as providing advice on related financing. And if things go wrong which, of course, sometimes they do – you can count on us to help resolve any disputes.

We help make the complex legalities and regulations easier to navigate and we make sure that you understand exactly your position so that you have what you need to keep trade moving.

What we do

Clients come to us because they need help with trade contracts, distribution agreements or agency agreements. We help them enter into contracts to get deals done.  We protect their interests and de-risk where possible.

We guide clients through complex product compliance and conformity issues: individual countries have different requirements which all need to be met. Brexit has made things more complicated, and the UK regime is undergoing change.

As members of staff (often senior) move around or join the business, clients often need help moving people across borders. This is personal and of huge importance to businesses, so we make the process as simple and hassle free as possible.

Our clients may establish or acquire businesses in the UK and need a presence here, as well as to navigate unfamiliar competition issues.

Of course, we also support our clients when things go wrong and they need help resolving issues.  We can help prepare them for difficult scenarios and we provide the specialist help they need if they have to enforce their rights through the courts or arbitration.

We provide advice on export controls and sanctions, the latter being something which is particularly important since the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Where fulfilling an existing contractual obligation may mean breaching sanctions, we’ll help our clients navigate next steps. And we can help organisations plan for all of this far better, by having a trade compliance framework. We’ll make sure you know who you’re dealing with throughout the whole supply chain.

We also help with ‘the technical stuff’ – assistance with import and export requirements, customs, duties and tariff issues. We’ll make sure you know what you need to pay, where and when.  We’ll also make sure it’s viable for you to do so.

Who are we?

We’re a team of multi-disciplinary international trade lawyers. Many of us do international trade work within our own practices and have international connections. We provide joined up expertise from across the whole of the firm – meaning you get exactly the support you need.

Download our leaflet to see how we can help you keep trade moving, and find out more about our supply chain health check here.