Our expertise in international trade and commodity disputes

We are highly regarded for our expertise in international trade and commodity disputes. Our expertise includes international sales of goods, letters of credit and collections facilities, bills of exchange, bills of lading and commodities disputes, as well as shipping disputes.

Our litigation lawyers’ strengths

Our litigation lawyers have particular strengths in quality/contamination, charter-party and bill of lading disputes in both ‘dry’ commodities such as grains, metals and bulk electronic components, and ‘wet’ commodities such as oil, chemicals and petroleum products. We also have expertise in export licence controls.

Our litigation lawyers have substantial experience in relation to associated trade finance disputes, including letters of credit, bills of exchange and documents against acceptance transactions.

Quick and cost-effective resolution

Trade and commodities disputes are particularly amenable to rapid, cost-effective resolution through carefully tailored solutions, whether by early ADR/commercial settlement, or by using the flexibility of the arbitral process.

Our experience of trade law and commodities disputes

We have wide-ranging experience of trade law and commodities disputes in High Court proceedings, GAFTA, LCIA, LMAA and other arbitrations, and through ADR and informal dispute resolution. Some recent cases include:

• Rock Unique v Rohlig – Court of Appeal proceedings involving alleged fraud in relation to consignments from India and the correct interpretation of the BIFA clauses
• Acting for a UK PLC port operator and line operator on a range of commodities disputes including a £20m claim for wrongful termination of a long term supply contract
• Acting in the place of a liquidator of a UK PLC in connection with the import of commodities from India and trade finance fraud via a Hong Kong intermediary
• Acting in Toprise Fashions v Nik Nak [2009] ALL ER 232 in connection with the bulk import of fabrics from S E Asia