International Trade and Commodities

Physical and financial trading in goods and commodities dominates the global economy. However, the complexity of the contractual, regulatory and financial landscape can create pitfalls for the unwary.

We have a team of more than 60 dedicated lawyers around the world, giving us a global perspective when dealing with the diverse contractual, regulatory and financial issues that affect the sector.

The team includes industry specialists such as the former head of trade finance at a global investment bank, a former General Counsel of a Middle East state oil company and a member of the ICC Consulting Group for the revision of UCP terms.

Our work covers all aspects of physical and financial trading in both hard and soft commodities throughout the supply chain.

We advise banks, financial institutions, traders, brokers, ship owners, insurers, producers and industrial end users on all aspects of physical and financial trading in hard and soft commodities. We also advise traders and other market participants on the acquisition and management of distribution and warehousing assets.

We have a leading litigation and international arbitration practice which is highly rated for its commodities work.

Much of our work derives from key trading centres such as London, Geneva and Hong Kong. We also have offices in the fast growing or emerging economies within Central and Eastern Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and Asia.

Our particular areas of expertise include:

• physical trading
• structured trade finance
• M&A, capital raising and distribution assets
• hedging and derivatives
• shipping and insurance
• litigation and international arbitration
• regulatory and environmental