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.
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News and insights
Publications: 20 December 2023
The implication of the Foreign State Immunity Law on cross-border disputes in the PRC and Hong Kong
The long-standing practice to adopt the principle of absolute foreign state immunity by the People’s Republic of China (the PRC) and Hong Kong is coming to an end as the PRC’s Foreign State Immunity…
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).
Publications: 02 May 2023
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…
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…
Awards and achievements
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Tier One, Public International Law, Legal 500 UK 2022
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Band 1, Dispute Resolution, Global Multi-Jurisdictional, Chambers Global 2022
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International Arbitration Firm of the Year, Benchmark Litigation Asia-Pacific Awards 2020
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Leading firm (top tier) ranking in the “Leaders League” table for International Arbitration (Spain) 2022
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24 lawyers ranked in Who's Who Legal: Arbitration 2024, including one Global Elite Thought Leader and nine Thought Leaders
Recognition
Activity in high-profile ECT cases showcases its capacity to coordinate complex investor-state mandates between its breadth of offices.
Chambers Europe 2022, International Arbitration
Has a great deal of experience acting for both claimants and respondents in investment treaty disputes…Wins further recognition for its thriving sanctions practice and expert advice on sovereign immunity, Energy Charter Treaty claims, WTO matters and EU law.
Chambers Global 2020, Public International Law
Highly regarded for its expertise in investment treaty arbitrations. Experienced in arbitrations acting both for and against sovereign states and government bodies.
Chambers Asia-Pacific 2020, International Arbitration, China
The team has a uniquely varied practice in public international law, including human rights, international trade and investment treaty arbitration.
Legal 500 UK 2022, Public International Law
Allen & Overy LLP has superlative expertise across the full spectrum of public international law and related matters. Its ‘outstanding and hardworking’ team is experienced in state-to-state disputes before the International Court of Justice and tribunals under the jurisdiction of the Permanent Court of Arbitration, ICSID, the United Nations Convention for the Law of the Sea and other ad hoc bodies.
Legal 500 UK 2019, Public International Law
They have a very strong practice and a deep bench of talent.
Chambers Global 2018, Public International Law
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