Reed Smith’s commodities and international trade arbitration practice is recognized as one of the best in the world. With commodities and international trade arbitration lawyers based around the globe – in particular in London, Dubai, Paris, Houston, Singapore, Beijing and Hong Kong – we are the go-to choice for clients across the commodities and international trade sector, including trading houses, mining and oil majors, agricultural and financial institutions and funds engaged in the trading and financing of commodities.
We are ranked in the top band by both The Legal 500 and Chambers and Partners.
- "Reed Smith LLP is a go-to practice for some of the most sophisticated and substantial commodities disputes in the market, whether acting on behalf of major international banks, commodities trading houses, oil companies or a host of other market participants." The Legal 500 UK 2024
- "Reed Smith is an exceptional team with a strong global network that provides a great service." Chambers UK 2024
Through our sector specialism, we bring our extensive knowledge of the commodities markets to bear, enabling us to partner with our clients every step of the way, from advising on the drafting of effective contracts, to providing pre-emptive and strategic advice in anticipation of disputes, to managing arbitrations efficiently, always with a view to the commercial realities.
We have worked on some of the largest and most complex commodities arbitrations in the market, across all aspects of international trade, including joint ventures, trade finance, letters of credit, warehousing fraud, force majeure, price reopeners, sanctions, contamination and quality issues. We understand the derivatives and financing aspects of international trade, as well as the physical business.
We handle high value (multi-million and billion-dollar) arbitrations under all of the major international arbitration rules, including those of the London Court of International Arbitration (LCIA), the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), the Dubai International Arbitration Centre (DIAC), the Singapore International Arbitration Centre (SIAC), the Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre (HKIAC), the China International Economic and Trade Arbitration Commission (CIETAC) and the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL).
We have leading experience in trade association arbitrations, including arbitrations under the rules of the Grain and Feed Trade Association (GAFTA), the Federation of Oils, Seeds and Fats Associations (FOSFA), the International Cotton Association (ICA), the Refined Sugar Association (RSA) and the Sugar Association of London (SAL), and the London Metal Exchange (LME). We also have considerable experience of arbitration-related litigation proceedings, including successfully obtaining court injunctions in support of arbitrations, and of enforcement proceedings.
Our lawyers are thought leaders in their field, regularly contributing to leading publications, speaking at conferences and lecturing on international trade law. We are long-standing supporters of trade associations in the commodities sector (in particular, GAFTA, FOSFA, RSA and SAL), providing training and commentary on contracts and processes. A number of our lawyers have also served on the European Committee of the International Energy Credit Association (IECA) and act as outside counsel to the European Federation of Energy Traders (EFET).
Our team includes members of the ICC Young Arbitrators Forum, the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, the LCIA Young International Arbitration Group and Arbitral Women
