Globalisation might be bringing the world closer together, but our legal systems can still keep us apart. That's why we bring together experts in trade law from across the firm ‒ so you can concentrate on getting closer to your customers and suppliers across international borders.
Our International Trade group makes us the go-to firm for tough transactions of global significance. We'll be there at every stage of your business cycle to help you navigate the trade laws and regulations across the world, while making sure your risks are managed – and opportunities maximised – each step of the way.
We'll help you understand and protect your rights under Australia's bilateral and multilateral treaties and Free Trade Agreements, through to the laws that affect domestic and foreign manufacturers, importers and exporters, as well as anti-dumping and customs law, international arbitration and trade protection law.
And if you're looking to expand your horizons, our independence allows us to pursue whole-business relationships with leading foreign law firms with deep expertise in different cultural and business structures, so our clients know they will be getting the best advice, wherever they are.
International trade agreements and customs law
With expert lawyers – including a former Commonwealth Government office-holder – in the anti-dumping area, our customs team brings comprehensive knowledge and experience of import-export issues, as well as the impact of regulations mandated by international agreements entered into by Australia.
Our lawyers advise Australian and international clients on trade agreement regulations, including:
- International trade agreements – whether multilateral (under the umbrella of the World Trade Organisation (WTO)), regional (such as Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC)) or bilateral agreements between countries
- International regional trade agreements such as the Internal Market of the European Union, North America Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), ASEAN, APEC, Mercosur (Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay) and FTAA (Free Trade Area of the Americas)
- the consistency of Australian laws and regulations with WTO and other international trade rules
- WTO and its specialised agreements, including under GATT and the prosecution and defence of cases under the WTO’s Dispute Settlement Understanding.
Complementing this is our advice on all aspects of the import and export of goods and customs, including:
- export controls
- labelling, licensing and quarantine requirements
- import, biosecurity, quarantine and biodiversity requirements
- Kyoto Protocol implementation
- trade remedies (anti-dumping, safeguards and countervailing measures)
- trade barriers and participation in dispute settlement proceedings concerning sanitary and phytosanitary rules and safeguards
- customs issues, including tariff classification of goods; customs valuation; tariff concession orders (TCOs); rules of origin; excise and customs duty, transfer pricing and customs investigations and prosecutions.
International arbitration
As one of the leading international arbitration practices in the Asia-Pacific region, our arbitration specialists are well known throughout the international arbitration community and have represented clients in major international transactions, projects and disputes globally under all of the major arbitration rules and regimes.
International litigation
Our litigators don't just form Australia's largest dispute resolution team – they're renowned for their skills at complex transnational (and multinational) litigation, and the many legal, commercial and strategic issues that arise, including conflicts of laws, jurisdiction, choice of law, service, obtaining evidence from abroad, and enforcement of judgments.
Cross-border cartels and competition
Our national competition and cartel lawyers have won a reputation as the market leaders in managing high-profile international and Australian cartel investigations, associated litigation (including the Australian aspects of international cartels), and prosecutions instigated by regulators, including the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission, US Department of Justice and the European Commission.
The team's experience in advising international and Australian businesses and executives on cartel investigations spans a range of industries, including pharmaceuticals and healthcare, manufacturing, shipping and airfreight. We are also at the forefront of developments in cartel-related legislation, and are active members of Australian and international bodies such as the International Cartel Task Force Committee.
Cross-border cartels and competition
Our national competition and cartel lawyers have won a reputation as the market leaders in managing high-profile international and Australian cartel investigations, associated litigation (including the Australian aspects of international cartels), and prosecutions instigated by regulators, including the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission, US Department of Justice and the European Commission.
The team's experience in advising international and Australian businesses and executives on cartel investigations spans a range of industries, including pharmaceuticals and healthcare, manufacturing, shipping and airfreight. We are also at the forefront of developments in cartel-related legislation, and are active members of Australian and international bodies such as the International Cartel Task Force Committee.
International corporate conduct
Our team of experienced litigators are trusted advisers to multinational and Australian companies who need to protect themselves from corporate fraud, bribery, corruption, facilitation payments, public and private corruption, antitrust, money laundering, and privileges and immunities, with a particular focus on assessing risk and exposure under both domestic and international anti-corruption laws, including Australia's Criminal Code, the US Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, and the UK Bribery Act 2010.
International taxation
Our taxation lawyers are well regarded for advising on international taxation and the tax aspects of cross-border investments and transactions. We advise Australian companies on outbound investment and transactions in the USA, Asia, Europe and the Middle East.
Our work has involved advice on overseas structure, treaty benefits, attribution of income, gain realisation strategies, debt-raising, transfer pricing, royalties and repatriation of income.