International Trade & Commodities
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Sector

Legal Support for International Trade & Commodities Businesses

Acting for traders, producers, processors and financiers on the contracts, disputes and recoveries that shape physical and financial trade flows.

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GAFTA · FOSFA · LME

Trade Rules

Cross-Border

Specialist Focus

Partner

Led Instructions

SRA

Regulated Practice

International trade and commodities markets move quickly and across borders. Prices fluctuate, performance windows are tight, and relationships are governed by specialist contracts and arbitral rules. A single missed laycan, quality dispute or documentary discrepancy can rapidly turn into a multi-jurisdiction problem involving traders, banks, shippers and insurers.

We act for global traders, commodities houses, financiers, brokers, producers, distributors, shipping interests and arbitral participants involved in the international sale of goods, commodities trading, logistics chains and trade finance.

Our team combines familiarity with GAFTA, FOSFA, LME and institutional rules with experience in English court proceedings and cross-border enforcement. We focus on delivering clear, practical strategies that protect trading positions, manage margin and credit risk, and support continued access to markets.

Sector Challenges

  • Disputed shipments, quality claims and demurrage
  • Sanctions, export controls and trade-law compliance
  • Force majeure, frustration and price escalation in volatile markets
  • Counterparty failures along the trade and finance chain
  • Trade finance disputes, including LCs, guarantees and standby instruments
  • Cross-border enforcement against assets in multiple jurisdictions

How We Help

  • Sale, purchase, supply and distribution contracts — incl. GAFTA, FOSFA, LME terms
  • Trade finance documentation: LCs, guarantees, standby instruments
  • Sanctions and export control advice
  • GAFTA, FOSFA, LCIA, ICC and ad hoc arbitration
  • Force majeure, frustration and contract restructuring advice
  • Recoveries against distressed and overseas counterparties
  • Asset tracing and cross-border judgment enforcement
  • Joint ventures, agency and distribution structures in key markets

Who We Work With

  • Commodity traders and trading houses
  • Producers, processors and end-users
  • Banks and trade finance providers
  • Brokers, agents and shipping intermediaries
  • Investors in trade-finance and supply-chain assets

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All enquiries are treated in strict confidence. We respond promptly.

Please don't share confidential or sensitive information until we have completed our conflict check.

Related Services

STA Legal Limited is authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority — SRA No. 8003444. All advice is provided in accordance with SRA Codes of Conduct.

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Trade dispute or contract issue?

Speak to us about a contract, arbitration, recovery or sanctions matter. We'll give you a clear view of risk, options and enforcement.

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