International Trade and Commodities
Dispute-led support for cross-border trading, trade finance and enforcement
International trade disputes develop quickly: documentary errors, quality disputes, missed laycans and non-payment can escalate into multi-jurisdiction enforcement problems. Parties require fast, technically accurate advice that reflects market practice and arbitration rules.
We act for traders, commodities houses, banks, brokers, producers, distributors, shipping interests and insurers in disputes under trade association rules and in the English courts, including enforcement and injunctive applications.
Our expertise in trade and commodities disputes
Specialist commodity arbitrations (GAFTA, FOSFA, LME)
We handle:
- Quality/specification/contamination disputes
- Late shipment and non-shipment claims, missed laycans
- Rejection, non-conformity and warranty disputes
- Washouts, close-out and market-movement risk issues
- Default notices, termination and repudiation disputes
- Demurrage and freight-linked issues
Letters of credit and trade finance disputes
We advise on:
- Documentary compliance and discrepancy disputes under UCP 600
- Non-payment and reimbursement disputes between banks and traders
- Fraudulent documents and forged shipping documents
- Demand guarantees and standby credit disputes
Cross-border enforcement and asset recovery
We act on:
- Recognition and enforcement of arbitral awards and judgments
- Anti-suit/anti-enforcement strategies where appropriate
- Freezing relief and asset preservation orders
- Coordinated enforcement planning with overseas counsel
How we work with energy clients
- Market-aware advice: aligned to trading desk and operations realities
- Arbitration-led: specialist rules, procedure and evidence control
- Enforcement-focused: awards converted into recoveries through planned execution
- Cross-border capability: coordination across jurisdictions and asset locations
Contact us
If you are facing a trade dispute, trade finance problem or enforcement issue, we can assist.
Discuss a live GAFTA/FOSFA/LME dispute
Arrange an enforcement and recovery strategy review
Request our latest trade disputes updates