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International Trade

Selling your goods or services across international borders can add to the complexity of your commercial arrangements. Our specialist solicitors are on hand to guide and support your business through this process. Opal Legal  has been recognised as a Top 200 UK Law Firm.

Our International Trade Service

In Meeting

A business looking to buy or sell goods or services across international borders must consider not only the considerations relevant to any supply agreement, but also the rules governing international trade, and the local laws of the countries involved. 

We provide a full range of services in respect of international trade arrangements, from advising experienced organisations participating in complex multi-level arrangements, to providing guidance to businesses considering buying or selling products across international borders for the first time.  

We can advise on English law considerations and the key principles of international trade law relevant to your proposed arrangements, and as part of our membership to MSI we can coordinate referrals to foreign law specialists for advice on the legal requirements that apply in other territories. 

The laws relevant to international trade are complex, and you should take legal advice before entering into such arrangements.  You may also need advice from other professionals on matters such as tax and accounting, and import/export requirements, and we can support you in coordinating such advice.

Supply and Distribution

International trade arrangements take a wide range of forms – they may, for example, be one-off sales orders formed under the standard terms of one of the parties, or long-term agreements for the supply of goods or services, or they may relate to the appointment of an agent or distributor in a foreign territory.  We can support you in drafting, reviewing and negotiating the full range of potential supply agreements.

You can read more about our approach to standard terms and conditions of supply, and long-term agreements for the supply of goods or services.

For more information on potential models for international distribution and agency arrangements, please see our introductory guide to the different routes to market here, and our pages on Agency, Distribution and Reselling here.

And for information on our IT and Technology services, please visit our IT pages here. 

Brexit

For businesses that trade between the UK and Europe, the UK’s exit from the EU, and its withdrawal from the customs union and single market, has had a profound effect on operational and administrative arrangements, and the laws applicable to these trading arrangements. 

These changes have affected, among other things:

  • the tariffs applicable to products traded between the UK and EU member states, and the rules of origin which determine whether goods can be traded tariff-free between the UK and the EU under the terms of the UK-EU Trade and Co-operation Agreement;

  • the customs checks that must be completed in connection with the import and export of goods between the UK and EU member states, and the licence and registration requirements for the business that import or export;

  • product regulation and product markings, and the obligations of businesses that distribute products supplied from the UK to the EU and vice versa; and

  • the treatment of intellectual property.

Our Brexit Hub contains a range of guides, resources and updates on how Brexit is likely to affect your business.  

Competition Law

Breach of competition law can seriously impact a business, leading to agreements being void, fines based on global turnover, criminal prosecution for directors involved, third party actions for damages and reputational harm.

As such, compliance with competition law should be high up on the business agenda.  There should be clear procedures in place to ensure employees understand and comply with the legal requirements. Businesses which hold dominant market positions should ensure their employees are properly trained on what behaviour will be considered abusive.

We have set out answers to some Frequently Asked Questions on competition law below. You can read more about how competition law issues affect commercial agreements and more about the implications for mergers & acquisitions.

International disputes

We also recognise that disputes relating to international supply arrangements can result in complex legal proceedings. Our expert commercial litigation solicitors are able to provide sound strategic advice to assist you through such difficult times, and you can read more about the services they provide.

Reviewing Laws

Our International Trade Experience

Recent examples of our work in this area include:

  • advising and assisting a manufacturer of pheromones and insecticides, on its requirements to appoint a representative within the EU to comply with regulatory obligations and continue to market and supply products within EU Members States;

  • drafting an exclusive supply agreement for a leading international supplier of healthcare products;

  • advising a supplier of COVID 19 test kits on import and product labelling obligations and requirements;

  • drafting an agreement governing the international supply of our client’s mobile phone accessories for onward distribution to customers;

  • advising and assisting a customs software and service provider on its software as a service offering;

  • acting for a variety of international clients that require the conversion and implementation of their commercial agreements and documents into English law-governed contracts, warranties and terms and conditions;

  • advising a sleep apparel manufacturer and supplier on competition law in relation to its supply and distribution network (including on-premise retail outlets and online e-commerce sites);

  • advising a prestigious golf brand on competition law in relation to its distribution and retail network.

Reviewing Laws

Why Work With Our Commercial Team

  • We provide a partner-led service to ensure you receive the best commercial legal advice and support.

Judge's Table

  • We have a large and proactive commercial team which can meet your deadlines.

  • You will receive city-quality commercial legal advice and commercial services at regional prices.

  • As part of a full-service commercial law firm, our commercial solicitors work closely with our Dispute Resolution, Employment, and Commercial Property departments to provide our clients with a seamless service.

  • We have been ranked as a Top Tier law firm by the Legal 500 for the last seven years and recognised as a Top 200 Law Firm in 2022.

  • Our commercial solicitors are easy to deal with and understand that a common-sense approach is often required.

  • We give our clients an estimate of the costs involved in undertaking any work at the outset and provide cost updates regularly.

  • We understand that each matter is unique to your circumstances and that you need support from a commercial lawyer experienced in dealing with various clients and types of work.

  • We are a full-service law firm operating from a one-site office, which means our teams communicate effectively and efficiently.

  • Our commercial team use the latest technology to ensure that we are working as efficiently as possible and that geographical distance does not prevent us from providing excellent legal advice and client service.

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Testimonials

"Opal Legal Services has been a lifesaver for me. Their team of experts helped me navigate through a complex legal issue with ease. I highly recommend their services to anyone in need of legal assistance. Thank you, Opal Legal Services!" 

John Smith

Our Costs

We will provide you with a flexible menu of fee options rooted in our promise of complete transparency over our charges. We assess the value of each project, task, or advice based on its commercial value to you and then provide you with fee options scoped against the type of service and advice you require.

Fee options can include, where appropriate, fixed fees, a retainer, hourly or day rates, or a blend of such options.

We provide you with regular cost updates and will not incur any additional charges without your agreement.

To find out more about the services we can provide, including our retainer service, please give us a call.

Contact Opal Legal Solicitors

If you have any more questions or would like more information, you can contact our Family Law                                                                                              Solicitors on:

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