International Trade

We have an extensive practice in advising traders in physical commodities. Most contracts for the sale and purchase of goods provide for dispute resolution in London or Paris, where we have particular expertise, representing clients in LCIA and ICC arbitrations as well as those administered by trade associations such as FOSFA, GAFTA, the European Coffee Federation, and the Refined Sugar Association.

As international trade is predominantly concerned with carriage by sea, many traders prefer to refer disputes directly to the Admiralty and Commercial Courts of the High Court in London or to arbitrate under the rules of the London Maritime Arbitrators Association. As well as conducting litigation in this field, we also provide advice on common commercial problems encountered by the buyers or sellers of goods in relation to the carriage of the commodities purchased, such as ship demurrage and unsafe port disputes. We also advise on agreements commonly used by such traders on issues including risk of loss, insurance, lien and non-payment.

Our International Trade Experience

• Representing a Belgian insurance company in connection with defending against a claim relating to frozen chicken parts, which were illegally arrested at the Port of St. Petersburg and sold by the Russian Customs authorities
• Representing a major Russian agricultural commodities company in connection with claims relating to the salvage of a vessel and a cargo of wheat being exported to Israel from the Port of St. Petersburg
• Representing a Finnish company in an arbitration against a Russian buyer in a dispute related to contract of supply of log houses
• Representing a Ukrainian company in an arbitration against a Russian seller in a dispute related to the sale of agricultural products
• Representing a major Swiss trader before the Russian courts regarding the enforcement of GAFTA award in Russia
• Representing a number of major European traders before the Russian courts in legal proceedings against Russian parties in disputes arising out of contracts of sale and/or storage agreements of agricultural products and raw materials
• Negotiating international trade contracts and dispute resolution under such contracts, including sale contracts and contracts with freight forwarders
• Advising on techniques for financing the export of crude and refined oil products; and,
• Acting for cement, oil, and steel traders in High Court litigation on excessive additive to jet fuel, and other arbitrations concerning quality of oil products
• Arbitration on frustration to cement supply contract due illegal cartel activities
• Arbitrations on quality disputes for bulk sulphur
• Arbitration on quality disputes for cement