Our international trade and inward investment lawyers help public and private sector clients achieve their commercial aims. We draw on trade expertise across a range of legal disciplines to help clients make the most of global opportunities in their sector.
Trading businesses need to import and export goods and services in accordance with national and international trade laws. Following the post-Brexit transition period, EU-based importers, UK-based customers and exporters and importers and exporters from further afield, will need to be alert to new restrictions, tariffs and regulations.
Despite post-Brexit uncertainties, the UK continues to attract inward investment from overseas markets as international businesses look to expand into the UK through acquisition, equity investment, joint ventures, the incorporation of new entities and by expanding existing operations.
We help businesses navigate complex international trade law and cross-border challenges. Our expertise includes assisting transport sector clients with cross-border regulatory issues, trade-regulated litigation, helping food clients with labelling and country of origin advice, and advising agricultural sector clients on business immigration.
Doing business in the UK for the first time can be exciting but complex. In this inward investment guide, we identify 10 key points to help you plan ahead for success.
Our UK Investment Launchpad service, enables inbound clients to fast track the UK set up process by providing rapidly deployed project management, alongside expert legal advice, to deliver on the ground support with the development and implementation of the client’s UK market entry strategy.
You can read here how we supported a US healthcare provider to create a new business through a joint venture by providing a collaborative legal and project consultancy solution.
We deliver award-winning sector and specialist advice across all UK jurisdictions (England & Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland) and the EU.
We are an independent UK law firm that operates across multiple countries and jurisdictions. Through our trusted network of independent law firms, our international trade team provides a seamless legal service across the globe. This flexibility allows our international trade lawyers to collaborate with the right legal provider for our clients in each jurisdiction.
We regularly report on the latest Brexit developments and have a podcast in which we discuss how Brexit affects businesses and international trade. Listen to the podcast here.
Areas of focus
Our international trade team can assist with all business issues connected to inward investment and cross-border trade. Our international trade expertise includes the following:
- Company incorporation and company secretarial support.
- Assisting with opening bank accounts.
- Corporate and tax structures.
- Formation of joint ventures and partnerships.
- Business immigration including helping businesses with EU citizen immigration requirements.
- Cross-border financial services and passporting.
- International dispute resolution including international arbitration and choice of jurisdiction/courts.
- Trade disputes including sector based disputes concerning tariff breaches.
- Regulatory requirements for imports/exports including consumer law, product liability, obtaining approvals and engagement with regulators.
- Supply chain and country of origin implications for registration, labelling and taxation.
- Cross-border M&A involving inward investment or overseas acquisition.
- International trade in nuclear goods and services including the role of nuclear co-operation agreements, export controls, nuclear safeguards, nuclear liability and more general obligations under international, European and UK nuclear law.