Cases and deals
Hard commodities
- Acting for a major metals trader in continuing dispute over the right to supply raw materials to, and purchase aluminium from, a large aluminium smelter in the FSU
- Acting for major LNG producer and shipper in relation to charterparty contract risks
- Advising European bank on risks in setting up and guaranteeing oil financing operations
- Representing the government of a major oil producing nation in a multi-million dollar international arbitration arising out of the termination of oil production and distribution rights
- Representing major international trade finance bank in US$250m oil financing facility
- Acts for major commodities trader in relation to various trading related disputes including applications for pre-trial injunctions
- Acting for international oil trader in a number of disputes arising out of import/export of oil cargos into/out of West Africa
- Advising major international oil and gas company on derivative trading documentation
- Advising bank in multi million dollar revolving metal trading facility
- Drafting trading terms and conditions for major international supplier of bunkers
- Acting for electricity trader in relation to joint venture trading operation in various jurisdictions
- Acting for a Russian exporter of crude oil in dispute over long term supply contract price mechanism
Acting for significant Kazak Gold deposit owners in multi million dollar transaction
Soft commodities
- Advising international soft commodities trader in a series of disputes under GAFTA and FOSFA contract terms
- Acting for trading company contracting on IGPA terms and advising in relation to disputes arising under the contract
- Acting for US and European commodity traders in disputes arising from sale of nuts of US origin
- Acting for Latvian trading company in claims against Far East suppliers of bio-diesel, involving issues of testing standards
- Developing short term trade financing solutions for trade finance banks in the soft commodity sector
- Acting for a major sugar importer in an UNCITRAL arbitration following seizure of stocks in Eastern Europe
- Instructed by cocoa trader in relation to disputes arising from exports from Ivory Coast to Europe
- Advising banks on cash and carry and other off balance sheet financing options for soft commodities
- Acting for sugar trader in US$5m claim following disappearance of sugar stocks in Russia
- Advising major international trade finance banks in relation to financing secured against warehoused soft commodities in the Malaysia and Indonesia
Trade and commodity finance and recoveries
- Advising major European trade finance bank team on structured LC based lending
- Advising major trade finance bank in relation to Murabaha Islamic trade finance documentary credit scheme
- Advising international steel trader on supplier credit terms and risk issues
- Acting for major Asian trade finance bank team in establishing transactional trade finance documentation and risk assessment for energy business
- Advising major Indian bank in establishing trade finance business in Europe including risk, regulatory and documentation advice
- Advising major London based bank on master discounting arrangements
- Advising on forfaiting facility for Indian based bank
- Acting for Asian bank in multi million dollar metal export facility
- Acting for major Austrian bank in US$15m financing of energy business in FSU
- Advising international trade finance bank on legal risk issues in oil trading business
- Acting for European trade finance bank in various short term commodity lending transactions secured against goods and payment flows
- Advising major European bank on supply chain finance scheme and legal risks associated with business
- Advising banks on a range of derivative issues
- Acting for banks in reviewing documentary credit practice and risk management to comply with UCP 600 and other legal developments
- Drafting suite of trade finance documents for major international banks
Trade and finance regulatory and risk management
- Advising major Asian trade finance bank on regulation and import/export controls in connection with its UK operations
- Advising London based banks on risk and compliance issues for trade finance activities following introduction of UN and EU sanctions
- Acting for international bank in review of documentation for Documentary Credits standard forms for UCP 600 compliance
- Advising various banks on Basel II compliance for insurance risk mitigants and risk transfer products
- Advising banks on risk issues arising from issue of shipment and other guarantees and indemnities in oil trading operations
- Review of standard documents for major trade finance bank for short term trade finance operations
- Pre-credit committee checks on new products for international trade finance bank
- Advising major fuel oil supplier on standard terms and sales process
- Acting for trade finance bank in reviewing trade import and export controls affecting new trade finance operations in the UK
- Advising LME and other exchange traders on market regulatory issues
- Advising on risk management approach to corrupt payments and money laundering legislation
International trade
- Advising on charterparty terms for traders and shippers of a variety of commodities
- Acting in London and internationally based arbitrations and court disputes arising from the movement storage and insurance of goods
- Acting for coal mining company in ICSID arbitration against Republic of Bulgaria
- Acting for parties involved with Customs and VAT assessments arising out of international trading transactions
- Acting for commodity trading corporate in joint venture for exploitation of copper mine
- Acting for major European based aluminium trader in dispute before ICSID arbitration panel with government of Azerbaijan
- Acting for traders in relation to warehousing disputes and title claims
- Acting for cargo financing interests following deviation and offloading of cargo in West Africa