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 international trade law. As the countdown to Brexit continues, EU-based importers and UK-based customers and exporters will need to be alert to restrictions, tariffs and regulations.
Future challenges could include trading under World Trade Organisation (WTO) rules or free trade agreements. The import and export of services may increasingly be governed by the General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS) or bespoke future arrangements.
Despite 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, helping food clients with labelling and country of origin advice, and advising agricultural sector clients on business immigration.
As the UK readopts powers to negotiate free trade agreements and resolve international trade disputes, UK businesses and importers into the UK will face new challenges. Our international trade lawyers can help.
The UK continues to attract inward investment from overseas markets, despite Brexit uncertainties, 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.
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 three 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.
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:
- UK market entry strategy and business planning.
- Company incorporation, company secretarial support, book-keeping and accounts.
- Assisting with opening bank accounts and sourcing finance.
- Corporate and tax structures.
- Formation of joint ventures and partnerships.
- Recruitment, HR, payroll, IT support and cyber security.
- Trade contracts including protections regarding tariff changes, restrictions on export/import and Brexit effects.
- Implications of international trade bans and restrictions with nations/individuals.
- Business immigration including helping businesses with EU citizen immigration requirements.
- Cross-border financial services and passporting.
- The effects of tariff changes and compliance with international tax obligations (including on trusts).
- Cross-border business structuring for additional regulation/border checks e.g. at ports.
- Competition, state aid and Anti-trust issues arising from international investment.
- Implications of national trade agreements including future UK/third party free trade agreement and WTO most-favoured nation status.
- Trade finance under English law for UK, EU or overseas lenders or traders.
- 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.
- Food supply, import and export issues including challenges facing agricultural businesses.
- 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.