Trade Law

We work with our clients to navigate these risks and maximise the opportunities for cross-border trade.

Via our global network of trade law specialists we advise corporates and governments across the full spectrum of international trade matters, including:

  • WTO law and policy;
  • bilateral and multilateral trade agreements;
  • market access and national treatment issues (including standards and conformity assessments);
  • trade remedies (anti-dumping, countervailing duties and safeguards);
  • trade litigation;
  • export controls;
  • government procurement; and
  • compliance with anti-bribery and corruption law

Our team of trade law specialists in the UK is led by Nicole Kar, Charlotte Morgan and Matthew Weiniger QC.

Our practice is strengthened by alliances with top-tier law firms in South Africa (Webber Wentzel) and Australia (Allens), which provide our clients with access to a seamless service across the globe and unique advantage through the firms’ combined experience, knowhow and international and on-the-ground resources. Stephen Meltzer, Partner, heads up the Webber Wentzel trade law team, while Rachel Nicolson, Partner, leads the Allens trade law team.

Our trade experience includes:

  • providing training to governments on issues of trade policy, trade law and treaty negotiation;
  • advising on a number of international trade disputes;
  • advising a government on the compatibility of some of its existing FTAs with a prospective FTA;
  • advising in respect of foreign investment regimes and the approach taken across a number of jurisdictions to foreign direct investment;
  • advising in respect of energy trading across interconnectors in post-Brexit scenarios;
  • advising major corporates, banks and utilities on the legal risks associated with Brexit, including supply chain risk (tariffs and other sources of trade friction), regulatory divergence, conformity certifications, data protection, human resources, intellectual property rights and cross border provision of services;
  • advising a government on trade barriers in strategic sectors in other countries; and
  • performing due diligence on trade-related aspects of major corporate transactions