International trade

International trade is at the core of Stephenson Harwood’s global practice.  From raw materials to manufactured products, our multinational team of lawyers provide expert advice to businesses across the global supply chain. Combining strength in depth with extensive local knowledge of the jurisdictions in which we operate, we handle the most critical and complex of matters.
  • Profile
  • Experience
  • Key contacts
Our lawyers in Dubai, Hong Kong, London, Paris, Piraeus, Shanghai, Singapore and Seoul have years of experience advising clients on transactional, advisory, regulatory and contentious matters relating to the production, trading, carriage, storage, financing and end use of commodities and manufactured goods.

We work closely with international organisations involved in international trade, and count banks, development banks, export credit agencies, oil majors, independents, major trading and mining companies, exporters and other market players among our clients.

We have extensive experience in complex cross-jurisdictional disputes and our lawyers have represented clients in arbitrations under all the major international rules (ICC, LMAA, LCIA, UNCITRAL, SIAC, CIETAC and HIAC), as well as before commodity trade tribunals (including LME, GAFTA and FOSFA).

We can help you with:

  • sale and purchase agreements
  • futures and derivatives (including ISDAs and FFAs)
  • intellectual property
  • outsourcing and technology
  • data protection and information
  • insurance
  • trade and export finance
  • bills of lading, charterparties and COAs
  • cargo loss and damage
  • storage and warehousing
  • ports and logistics contracts
  • regulatory and compliance
  • competition law
  • fraud and asset recovery
  • sanctions advice
  • corporate and tax
  • export control
  • distribution, agency, franchising and sponsorship agreements.

"They are a top-notch commodities firm."

Chambers UK 2022

Mercuria vs Citibank – commodity “repo” dispute

Acting for Mercuria in their successful defence of a headline-making US$270 million claim, relating to “repo” deals affected by a major metals warehousing fraud in China.

Industrial metals trading

We advised Traderight on investments by joint venture signatories, in order to secure membership of the London Metal Exchange (LME).

Metal concentrates – LCIA arbitrations

Advising mining group in a series of quality and other disputes with a major trading company relating to the supply of copper, lead and zinc concentrates.

Energy trading agreements

Providing advice on agreements for the supply and trading of coal including the SCoTA and EFET annexes, for coke, oil, and LNG.

South American bio – diesel dispute

We acted in a tri-partite dispute over the sale of bio-diesel between a major South American producer and two of the world’s largest commodity traders.

Sulphuric acid – quality dispute

Advising a major zinc producer in a quality dispute with one of the world’s largest fertiliser traders over a series of contracts for the sale of sulphuric acid.

Delivery and supply contract for a global oil trader

We advised on force majeure, delivery and novation issues under a delivery and supply contract in Colombia for a global oil trader.

Charterparty disputes

We have advised on a large variety of charterparty disputes in relation to the carriage of all kinds of commodities.

LCIA and ICC arbitrations

Advising on a series of LCIA and ICC arbitrations concerning coal, coke and steel.
Lawyer

Michael Kim Seoul office managing partner

T:  + 82 2 6138 4888
M:  + 82 10 2005 1690 Email Michael | Vcard Office:  Seoul

Lawyer

Evangeline Quek Office managing partner Greater China

T:  +852 2533 2799 +86 21 2250 6912
M:  +852 9222 4856 +86 136 3217 8216 Email Evangeline | Vcard Office:  Hong Kong, Shanghai

Lawyer

Andrew Rigden Green Partner

T:  +852 2533 2761
M:  +852 6013 2520 Email Andrew | Vcard Office:  Hong Kong

Lawyer

Haris Zografakis Partner

T:  +44 20 7809 2144
M:  Email Haris | Vcard Office:  London

Latest news & insights

11 Nov 2022

From Insights

UK sanctions: prohibition on the maritime transportation of crude and petroleum oil and products

On 5 December 2022, the 16th amendment1 to the UK's sanctions against Russia, The Russia (Sanctions) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (the "Regulations")2, comes into force ..

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07 Apr 2021

From Insights

Commodities in Focus - Edition 10 2021

Welcome to the tenth edition of Commodities in Focus (CIF); our bulletin for clients engaged in the production, trading, carriage, storage and financing of commodities..

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18 Dec 2020

From Insights

Commodities in Focus - Edition 9 2020

Welcome to the ninth edition of Commodities in Focus (CIF); our bulletin for clients engaged in the production, trading, carriage, storage and financing of commodities..

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20 May 2020

From Insights

Commodities in Focus - Edition 8 2020

Welcome to the eighth edition of Commodities in Focus (CIF); our bulletin for clients engaged in the production, trading, carriage, storage and financing of commoditie..

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06 May 2020

From Insights

COVID-19: ‘Top tips’ for effective contract management

Effective contract management can ensure that parties minimise risks and avoid disputes from arising. In this bulletin, we summarise some ‘top tips’ that contract mana..

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08 Apr 2020

From News

Stephenson Harwood wins four awards at the CBLJ Awards 2020

Law firm Stephenson Harwood LLP has won four awards at the China Business Law Awards 2020.

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23 Mar 2020

From Insights

COVID-19: Legal and contractual implications

COVID-19 has been characterised as a global pandemic by the World Health Organisation (“WHO”). Countries are in lock down, travel and freight have ground to a halt and..

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23 Mar 2020

From Insights

Navigating the challenges posed by the Coronavirus

The disruption being caused by the coronavirus is giving rise to unique challenges that need careful management from an English contract law perspective.

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06 Feb 2020

From Insights

Brexit snapshot - Brexit and trade law issues

Following the UK’s departure from the EU on 31 January 2020, attention now turns to the negotiation of a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) to come into force once the agreed ..

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20 Dec 2019

From Insights

Commodities in Focus - Edition 7 2019

Welcome to the seventh edition of Commodities in Focus (CIF) – our bulletin for clients engaged in the production, trading, carriage, storage and financing of commodit..

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04 Dec 2019

From Insights

Saving the WTO

The operations of WTO’s Appellate Body, which is an integral part of the WTO’s Dispute settlement mechanism, are to be suspended in December as the term of another two..

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02 Aug 2019

From Insights

Commodities in Focus - Edition 6 2019

Welcome to the sixth edition of Commodities in Focus (CIF) – our bulletin for clients engaged in the production, trading, carriage, storage and financing of commoditie..

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05 Feb 2019

From Insights

Commodities in Focus - edition 5 2019

Welcome to the fifth edition of Commodities in Focus (CIF) – our bulletin for clients engaged in the production, trading, carriage, storage and financing of commoditie..

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© Stephenson Harwood LLP 2016. Any reference to Stephenson Harwood in this document means Stephenson Harwood LLP and/or its affiliated undertakings. Any reference to a partner is used to refer to a member of Stephenson Harwood LLP.