Financial and trade sanctions are an increasingly common and powerful foreign policy tool. Their implementation exposes businesses and individuals to huge financial, criminal, reputational, political and regulatory risk. Our sanctions team offers an international outlook on the legal and practical implications of sanctions.

As well as advising generally on sanctions interpretation and compliance, we advise on the licensing regimes and have dealt with competent authorities in a number of jurisdictions within EU member states and offshore jurisdictions.

We have also acted for sanctioned entities and individuals in more than 20 cases challenging sanctions in national and EU courts. These cases often involve novel issues of law in a fast-moving and politically charged environment. Several are cited by others in interpreting EU sanctions regimes.

Our experience acting for those targeted by sanctions as well as businesses otherwise impacted enables us to provide our clients with a complete legal and commercial picture when interpreting a sanctions regime.

"A terrific team involved in some of the most cutting-edge work in the public law arena. The level of service rivals the magic circle city firms, and expertise in this area is second-to-none."

The Legal 500 UK 2020

Europäisch-Iranische Handelsbank AG

Representing our client in its legal challenge to sanctions in the General Court and Court of Justice of the EU, resulting in the UK Government changing its licensing policy.

Sanctions challenges in EU courts

Representing various other commercial companies (including National Iranian Tanker Company, Bank Saderat Iran and Persia International Bank Plc), related individuals and other businessmen challenging Iranian and Syrian sanctions in the General Court and Court of Justice.

EU subsidiary of an Iranian bank

Representing our client in a claim for compensation of more than €130 million in relation to EU sanctions against Iran.

Managing director and a former director of a British-Iranian bank

Advising these individuals on their legal challenges to sanctions in national and EU courts. As well as securing the swift lifting of the sanctions, we obtained formal apologies from the EU member state that proposed them.

Russian owned banks

Advising our clients on the effects of EU sanctions in relation to Ukraine.

Iranian, European and Asian banks

Advising our clients on the interpretation of EU and UK sanctions against Iran in relation to existing and proposed finance transactions, including restructuring and acceleration of loan facilities and enforcement.

Iranian, European and Asian shipping companies

Advising our clients on the effect of US, EU and UK sanctions against Iran on their ongoing business operations and sanctions policies and procedures.

International trade union

Advising our client on the potential impact of Iranian and Syrian sanctions on agreements and transactions entered into with various counterparties.

US equipment finance and leasing company

Advising in respect of the sanctions related wording to be contained in various commercial contracts within certain of their joint venture arrangements.

UK hedge fund and Libyan owned UK bank

Advising our clients on complex international issues involving UN, EU, UK, Dutch, Swiss and offshore sanctions against Libya.