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Sub practice
Sub practice

Trade Law and Disputes

Allen & Overy’s Trade Law and Disputes team helps clients in advisory and contentious matters relating to international trade, a complex area in which the movement of goods and services between jurisdictions is increasingly affected by government actions. 

We advise on international trade law, trade-related disputes, trade defences, customs rules and tariff applications, supply chains, the interpretation of customs codes and export and import controls.

A&O’s expert lawyers have worked on trade and sanctions-related issues for OFAC, the European Commission and the UK’s Department of International Trade, amongst other government agencies. We have an in-depth understanding of how trade organisations and regulators work.

Our experience includes:

  • Assessing potential risks associated with particular contracts, relationships or proposed business ventures, including in relation to sanctions, export controls, anti-corruption, and foreign direct investment.
  • Advising on the impact of free trade agreements and World Trade Organisation (WTO) law on the cross-border movement of goods and services.
  • Advising on trade defence issues covering all aspects of anti-dumping, anti-subsidy and safeguarding measures and related disputes.

Unusually for a law firm, we have experience of contentious proceedings before the WTO. We represented the Republic of Cuba in its challenge to Australia’s Tobacco Plain Packaging Act 2011 - the first time that Cuba has challenged another country’s commercial legislation at the WTO. Of the matters currently pending before the WTO, this case attracted the largest number of claimants.

News and insights

Big Ben

Publications: 04 October 2023

The UK’s Foreign Influence Registration Scheme: further enhancing the UK’s national security toolbox

Last September, the UK Government introduced the Foreign Influence Registration Scheme (FIRS) by way of amendment to the National Security Bill (the Bill). 

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High rise buildings

Publications: 02 May 2023

United Nations General Assembly seeks historic climate change opinion from International Court of Justice

On March 29, 2023, the United Nations General Assembly passed Resolution 77/276, marking a watershed moment in the global fight against climate change. The resolution requests an advisory opinion from…

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Sun shining on skyscraper

Publications: 26 April 2023

The U.S. Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals en banc overturns Industrial Risk and INPROSTA

Last year, we wrote about precedent in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit holding that international arbitration awards issued in the U.S. and encompassed by the New York Convention…

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Stairway

Publications: 03 February 2022

Webinar: International sanctions update, February 2022

Tuesday 15 February 2022, 1pm-2pm GMT/8am-9am EST/9pm-10pm HKT.

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Awards and achievements

  • Tier One, Public International Law, Legal 500 UK 2022

  • Band 1, Dispute Resolution, Global Multi-Jurisdictional, Chambers Global 2022

  • International Arbitration Firm of the Year, Benchmark Litigation Asia-Pacific Awards 2020

  • Leading firm (top tier) ranking in the “Leaders League” table for International Arbitration (Spain) 2022

 

Recognition

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International Arbitration Review

Recent developments and emerging trends in international arbitration law and policy