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Sub practice
Sub practice

Trade, Commodities and Export Finance

Driven by volatile commodity prices, the growth of emerging markets and the economic downturn, the international trade, commodities and export markets have become exceptionally dynamic.

Increasingly complex finance documentation and security structures, as well as new and stricter regulation regimes, mean that a range of new legal challenges and risks have arisen.

Our trade, commodities and export finance team can translate complexity and the increased scrutiny of security structures into practical and efficient solutions. Our in-depth knowledge of the sector and track record in documenting trade, commodities and export financings and our litigators' experience of advising on a large number of disputes in the trade, commodities and export sector allow us to identify and solve any issues upfront, providing our clients with both practical and commercial advice.

Whether trading in physical commodities or commodity derivatives, using commodities to generate cash flows within shari’a-compliant financings, entering into a commodities financing or structuring a complex commodities arbitrage transaction, there are a plethora of diverse legal issues to consider – from documentation to credit mitigation and from regulatory approvals to reputational issues. At Allen & Overy, we bring our expertise in each legal discipline under one product umbrella to offer our clients a seamless solution.

 

News and insights

The New York skyline

News: 27 September 2023

Allen & Overy to host 7th annual U.S. Leveraged Finance Training Camp

For a seventh consecutive year, Allen & Overy LLP (“A&O”) will host its highly regarded U.S. Leveraged Finance Training Camp (“LFTC”) on October 25, 2023.

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Solar panel with city buildings in background

Publications: 25 September 2023

Part 5: Conclusion and potential solutions

What policy and support measures can help close the Net Zero financing gap? And what can different stakeholders do themselves to accelerate progress?

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A winding road running through an autumn forest

Publications: 19 May 2022

Industry Perspectives: Trade finance and the ESG revolution

The trade finance market is undergoing a radical transformation in terms of environmental, social and corporate governance (ESG). In this Industry Perspective with Global Trade Review (GTR), Niels de…

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Laptop typing

Publications: 24 November 2021

Stages for Change: “If you’re about diversity, you need to be about all aspects of diversity”

While the commodities industry is evolving with other sectors to become a more inclusive space, it remains a predominantly male-led business.

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Awards and recognition

Team of the year:

Team of the year:

  • Best Law Firm for Trade or Supply Chain Finance – Global Trade Review Awards 2023
  • Leaders in Trade for Pandemic Support – Global Trade Review Awards 2021
  • Best Trade Finance Law Firm – Trade Finance Global Awards 2020
Deal of the year:

Deal of the year:

  • ED&F Man Restructuring, ‘Law Firm Restructuring Deal of the Year’ – IFLR Europe Awards 2023 
  • Trafigura ECA-backed Commodity Loan, Winner of ‘Best Deal of 2022’ – Global Trade Review Awards 2023
  • Nayara Energy Ltd Prepayment Financing – 'Energy Corporate Finance Deal of the Year' – TXF Perfect 10 Awards 2020
  • Noble Group Restructuring 'Best Trade Finance Deal of the Year' – International Trade Finance Awards 2019
  • Noble Group Restructuring, Winner of  'Best Deal of 2018' – Global Trade Review Awards 2019
  • TXF 'Commodity Acquisition Deal of the Year 2018' – TXF Perfect 10 Awards 2018
  • 'Trading Company Deal of the year' – TXF Perfect 10 Awards 2018
  • 'ECA-backed Energy Deal of the Year' – TXF Perfect 10 Awards 2018
  • 'Middle Eastern Commodities Finance Deal of the Year' - TXF Perfect 10 Awards 2018
  • Metinvest 'European Commodities Finance Deal of the Year' – TXF Perfect 10 Awards 2018
  • Aluminium Dunkerque 'Commodities Acquisition Deal of the Year' – TXF Perfect 10 Awards 2018

Trade commodities and export finance brochure

Crates

With geopolitical tensions, a changing Chinese economy and price volatility, the commodities markets are going through turbulent changes. In addition, commodities finance documentation and security structures are becoming increasingly complex, whilst stricter regulatory regimes pose further challenges.