Trade Law and Disputes

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.