International Trade
& Commodities
Our team of specialist solicitors represent a variety of clients, with a full range of services on both contentious and non-contentious matters across the commodities markets.
International trade
& commodities
Clients We're
Able To Advise
Based in the heart of Mayfair with a global reach, we provide comprehensive advice to affluent clients from around the world, including emerging markets. We advise a wide range of clients, including banks, brokers, commodities producers, construction companies, energy companies, insurers, investors, joint ventures, logistic companies, miners, power project developers, service contractors, shipping providers, trade associations, trade finance institutions, traders and trading houses.
Please explore our areas of law for more information on our services.
Clear, Practical Advice
We determine our client’s objectives during the initial meeting, and always work towards our client’s timetable. We enjoy working with our clients and strive to build a lasting relationship, by providing clear, practical advice, across a range of matters such as dispute resolution, oil & gas, energy, soft commodities and grain and international trade regulations.
If you would like to hear more about our international trade & commodities services, please consider getting in touch with us and one of our expert solicitors will be happy to assist you.
overview
Areas Of Law
International trade and commodities dispute resolution law involves the legal framework that governs disputes, arising from international trade and the sale and purchase of commodities, including disputes related to breaches of contract, fraud, product liability and shipping disputes.
International trade and commodities transactions can involve complex legal and regulatory issues, such as compliance with international trade regulations, intellectual property rights and environmental and labour standards. Disputes can involve a range of legal forums, including mediation, arbitration, litigation and can involve parties from multiple jurisdictions.
- Alternative dispute resolution
- Arbitration: including specialist arbitration from international institutions such as:
- Grain and Feed Trade Association (GAFTA)
- Federation or Oils, Seeds and Fats Association (FOSFA)
- Refined Sugar Association (RSA)
- London Metal Exchange (LME)
- International Chamber of Commerce (ICC)
- London Court of International Arbitration (LCIA)
- United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL)
- London Maritime Arbitrators Association (LMAA)
- Mediation
- Litigation
Energy law is a broad legal field that encompasses the regulatory, transactional and litigation aspects of the energy industry. Including oil, gas, renewables and electricity.
The field of energy law is concerned with the development, production, transmission and consumption of energy. It involves issues related to the environment, health and safety, tax and land use regulations.
- Conventional energy trading advice
- Drafting of contracts
- Global energy supply chain agreements
- Negotiation of terms
- Power projects
- Power purchase agreements
- Renewable sources of energy trading support
- Sourcing energy long term contracts
International trade in hard commodities such as coal, steel, and other minerals and metals, including precious metals, is subject to a complex web of international trade regulations. These regulations can include trade agreements, tariffs, export and import controls, customs procedures and environmental and labour regulations.
International trade regulations law is a complex field that involves navigating multiple legal frameworks, including international trade agreements such as the World Trade Organization (WTO) agreements, as well as national laws and regulations.
- Contract of Affreightment (COA), carriage and charters
- Derivatives and sale and purchase arrangements
- Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) contracts
- Management contracts
- Forward Freight Agreements (FFA)
- Negotiation of long term sales contracts
- Production and trading contracts
- Standard Coal Trading Agreement (SCoTA) contracts and terms
- Supply and distribution agreements and terms
International Trade Regulations oversee legislation governing trade between countries. The World Trade Organization (WTO) is the primary, international organisation dealing with the rules of trade between nations and governing the rights of governments to regulate international trade in goods and services.
With international trade regulations in place, the market is a lot more competitive as countries have access to goods and services that otherwise may not have been available.
- Commodities regulation
- Corruption, bribery and malpractice advice
- Environmental issues
- EU and international trade sanctions legislation
- EU & UK competition law
- International regulatory support and compliance advice
- Regulatory, EU and duty issues
- World Trade Organization (WTO) rules
Oil and gas law is a subfield of energy law that specifically deals with the production, transportation, and distribution of oil and gas resources. This can include leasing and ownership of mineral rights, environmental and safety regulations, and contract disputes related to the exploration, production, and sale of oil and gas.
Liquefied natural gas (LNG) is an increasingly important area of energy law, as the use of LNG as a cleaner alternative to traditional fossil fuels grows. LNG law can involve complex regulatory and contractual issues related to the production, transportation, and sale of LNG, as well as environmental and safety regulations related to its use.
- Variety of soft commodities including: grain food, oil, seeds, soya beans, coffee, cocoa, sugar, rice, nuts
- Derivative trading contracts
- Federation of Oils, Seeds and Fats Association (FOSFA) terms
- Grain and Feed Trade Association (GAFTA) terms
- Production agreements
- Refined Sugar Association (RSA) terms
- Specialist commodity contracts and terms
- Standard trading terms
- Supply agreements and terms
- Supply chain management agreements
Soft commodities, such as grains, oilseeds and other agricultural products, are subject to their own unique set of legal regulations.
Soft commodities law covers a range of legal issues related to the production, distribution, and trade of agricultural products, including issues related to contract law, supply chain regulation and environmental and labour standards.
- Advice on step by step process for the sale and purchase of new or second hand yacht
- Conversion and repair agreements
- Negotiating and drafting of sale and purchase contracts
- Negotiating and drafting new build construction agreements and refits contracts
- Working with technical advisors for frame design and build requirements
Trade and commodity finance law is a related field that deals with the legal and regulatory aspects of financing trade in commodities, including both soft and hard commodities. This can include the use of letters of credit, trade finance loans, other financial instruments, as well as the regulation of financial institutions involved in commodity trading.
- Commodity and export finance
- Financial trading terms
- Joint ventures and corporate acquisitions
- Letters of credit
- Political risk and trade credit insurance
- Project and asset finance
- Revolving credit facilities and prepayment financing
- Structured trade and commodities finance and investments
- Supply chain financing
- Trade credit insurance
Blog
News & Insights
World Trade Organisation overview: structure and regulations
Discover key WTO agreements and principles—GATT, GATS, and TRIPS—that shape global trade through non-discrimination, transparency, and intellectual property rights.