International Trade Law

Our attorneys have established themselves as the pre-eminent international trade attorneys in the region acting on behalf of local and foreign clients which includes multinationals, governments and institutions. The international trade law department focuses on all aspects of trade.

We have an international trade law practice that is specifically equipped, experienced and engaged to navigate your business interests through this complex legal and regulatory environment.
Our professionals specialize in the following areas of international trade law:

• Trade remedies – initiating or defending actions against dumping (low prices), countervailing measures (subsidies), safeguards (surge of imports);
• Transactional and regulatory advice on the importation or exportation of goods;
• Transactional and regulatory advice on providing services in foreign markets; 
• Transactional and regualtory advice on investments, including regulatory audits to ensure viable investments;
• Advice on establishing a presence in new markets, specifically Africa;
• Commercial agreements giving effect to trade relations;
• Related matters pertaining to South Africa’s International Trade Administration Commission (ITAC) such as tariff investigations and tariff amendments (increase or reduction in customs duty), customs classifications and rebate applications;
• Interpretation of and advice on the multilateral trade regime of the WTO, African regional trading agreements (such as SACU, SADC & COMESA) and Free Trade Agreements (such as the SA-EU TDCA or the SADC-EU EPA)
• Import duties or tariffs: valuations, tariff planning, duty at source, rebates, drawbacks, sourcing of raw materials (rules of origin);
• Advice on trade law, the economic aspects of trade law, diplomacy and policy formulation to the public and private sectors in developing and least developed countries. In this regard our location lends a specific focus on the African subcontinent;
• Lobbying & trade negotiations advice;
• Advice on agricultural trade.

Investment Law

We are ideally placed to provide critical advice on your investment decisions in foreign markets. With our unmatched knowledge on the international investment law issues, our experience as corporate and commercial attorneys and our network of foreign lawyers we can minimise risks that may be present and provide advice that adds value to your affairs. Our list of investment law services include:

• Advising on the regulatory environment in which you will operate
• Advising on any barriers to entry
• Advising on securing the investment and protection against expropriation
• Negotiating and drafting the agreements needed to invest in a foreign market.

Corporate Law

We have extensive corporate law experience which includes advising on domestic and cross-border corporate transactions (mergers and acquisitions in particular), establishing businesses, drafting the necessary agreements, and performing due diligences. Our list of corporate law services includes:

• Mergers and Acquisitions
• Shareholders Agreements / Memorandum of Incorporations
• Sale of Shares Agreements
• Sale of Business Agreements
• Competition Law
• Private Equity
• Corporate Finance
• Joint Ventures
• BEE Transactions
• Business Formation and Restructuring
• Regulatory Law
• Cross-border Transactions
• Partnerships
• Company formation and  amendments
• Company secretarial services

Commercial Law

Our attorneys advise on all areas related to our clients’ commercial endeavours which includes contract negotiations, drafting and providing general commercial law advice. We are particularly experienced in cross-border matters especially within the African continent. Our list of commercial law services includes:

• Management agreements
• Distribution agreements
• Financing agreements
• Surety agreements
• Lease agreements
• Construction agreements
• Sales agreements
• Franchise agreements
• Licensing agreements
• Confidentiality agreements
• Pledge, cession and assignment agreements
• Agency agreements
• Service level agreements
• Software development agreements
• Property development agreements
• Employment agreements
• Contract negotiations
• Advice on problematic terms and conditions

Dispute Resolution

As solutions driven attorneys we try and avoid dispute resolution. However if one must have a dispute we believe that there are far more cost-effective and expedient dispute-resolution mechanisms available than those offered by traditional litigation.

Through pre-dispute legal opinions, as well as contractual and regulatory advise, we seek to position our client in such a manner that litigation remains very much a last resort.

Where disputes are unavoidable, we possess the requisite experience and expertise to advise clients on the most cost-effective means for resolving disputes.

International Trade Law

The trade law services offered by the company aim to assist clients in their legal needs relating to international trade transactions to ensure that their businesses are successful and all material legal requirements and risks are managed.

Trade Law Chambers has an international trade law practice that is specifically equipped and engaged to navigate your business through this complex legal matrix buy meridia online .

Some of our most recent international trade law experience includes the following:

• Lead advisors (legal) to the Government of South Africa in South Africa’s first ever dispute at the World Trade Organization’s Dispute Settlement Body.
• Undertook a Review of the Role, Responsibilities and Terms of Reference of the SADC Tribunal for the SADC Secretariat
• Advised the SACU Secretariat on Unfair Trade Practices and drafted the Annex on Unfair Trade Practices to the SACU Agreement for the SACU Secretariat
• Advised clients on exporting a multitude of products to various countries.
• Advised clients on establishing a presence in African markets.
• Advised client on legality of instituting an export tariff and the effect thereof on the entire industry.
• Advised client on potential legal remedies where non-GMO farmers’ crops are pollinated by GMO farmers.
• Advised a client on sunset review of anti-dumping duties and assisting in further remedial work
• Advised various  clients on Rules of Origin in order to benefit from preferential duties in terms of bilateral and regional free trade agreements.
• Advised SADC Secretariat on private standards within the context of sanitary and phytosanitary measures at the WTO.
• Advised SADC trade negotiators on the current Economic Partnership Agreements (EPA) with the European Union, with a specific focus on Investment, Services and Agriculture.
• Advised the Kingdom of Lesotho on its Trade in Services obligations at the WTO as well as domestic legislation.
• Advised several South African clothing manufacturers on customs tariff determinations.
• Advised South African clothing manufacturers and importers on  import quotas on Chinese textiles.
• Advised a number of clients on anti-dumping and countervailing investigations initiated by South Africa’s International Trade Administration Commission.
• Assisted various clients with bringing applications for tariff increases.
• Rendered technical assistance to the South African Department of Trade and Industry on South Africa’s GATS commitments at the WTO.
• Assisted a client to enforce its rights under anti-dumping rules so that competing products would no longer be dumped.
• Advised various clients on customs classifications, valuations and tariff determinations.
• Assisting clients to comply with the requirements of the Customs & Excise Act.

Investment Law

We advise business on investing in new markets. We specialise in advising on investment within Africa, although we have advised numerous client in investing in traditional and other emerging markets.

Some of our recent investment law experience includes:

• Advised numerous clients on their expansion into the international market.
• Advised a South African Bank on its expansion into the international market.
• Advised clients in the regulatory environments in numerous jurisdictions.
• Advised on the provision of financial services across borders.
• Negotiating and drafting numerous agreements to give effect to clients’ investments.

Corporate Law

We render corporate law services ranging from company registrations and memorandum of incorporation (the old “shareholders agreements”) to corporate agreements.

Some of our recent corporate law experience includes:

• Advised clients on compliance with competition law as well as advising on the possible actions to be taken against unlawful competitors.
• Drafted and negotiated various agreements of sales of shares, and sales of businesses which agreements made provision for the multiples of problems which are unique to each transaction (such as the various exit options available).
• Lead legal advisors for several mergers and acquisitions, including transactions where the target companies were based in the USA and the United Kingdom.
• Advised on a possible joint venture between a German and American manufacturing concern.
• Advised on the joint venture agreement between two media companies.
• Advised on various corporate issues, such as special resolutions, rights issues, debentures, scrip dividends and the appropriate legal vehicle for the situation at hand.
• Structured various Black Economic Empowerment deals in order to ensure that the deals will contribute towards genuine empowerment and comply with the current and or future charters (as the case may be) and all the accompanying uncertainties.
• Drafted and negotiated various shareholders agreements as well as drafting the now required memorandum of incorporation.
• Registration of companies and trademarks.
• Advised and drafted national franchise agreements which take on a variety of forms, with an emphasis on providing some incentive for the franchisee.
• Undertook various due diligences on businesses to be acquired.
• Drafted numerous restraint of trade agreements in order to protect businesses interests.
• Advised on Brand Management and assisted various clients in trade mark registrations and maintenance, including protection, thereof.

Commercial Law

We have developed our commercial law services to add value to our clients’ activities, especially as they relate to our fields of specialisation.

Some of our recent commercial law experience includes:

• Drafted numerous commercial contracts for cross-border transactions
• Drafted numerous commercial contracts for domestic use

Typical examples of these include:

• Management agreements
• Distribution agreements
• Financing agreements
• Surety agreements
• Lease agreements
• Construction agreements
• Sales agreements
• Franchise agreements
• Licensing agreements
• Confidentiality agreements
• Pledge, cession and assignment agreements
• Agency agreements
• Service level agreements
• Software development agreements
• Property development agreements
• Employment agreements
• Contract negotiations
• Advice on problematic terms and conditions

Dispute Resolution

As a solutions-orientated law firm we strongly advocate the use of legal tools to avoid litigation, such as carefully crafted contractual arrangements and pro-active legal compliance. However it may happen that clients still end up in disputes. In such instances we protect the rights of our clients via dispute resolution.

Some of our recent dispute resolution experience in our fields includes:

• Reviewing governmental decisions that affect the interest of our clients in the High Court and Supreme Court of Appeal;
• Forcing business partners to comply with international business obligations at the High Court;
• Attending to arbitrations;
• Mediating and conciliating conflicts;
• Settling disputes through negotiations.

Trade & Customs Law Firm

The DealMakers 2013 End of Year Annual Awards celebrates the leading, most prolific firms, that have continually displayed a high degree of quality, tenacity and ability to punch above their weight within their area of specialization. Trade Law Chambers has been announced as the Trade and Customs Law Firm of the Year

2013 Dealmakers Award

Lawyer Monthly Legal Award 2013

We are delighted to announce that Rian Geldenhuys has been recognised by Lawyer Monthly Legal Awards as the South African International Trade Lawyer for the year 2013.

Acquisition International Legal Awards

We are delighted to announce that we have been recongised at the South African Trade and Customs Law Firm of the year for 2012.

Finance Monthly Law Awards 2013

Trade Law Chambers is delighted to announce that it has been recognised as the Cross Border Law Firm of the Year in South Africa for 2013. This award was received in the Finance Monthly Law Awards of 2013.

The Finance Monthly Law Awards recognize law firms and legal professionals who have outperformed their peers through dedication to client service, innovation and industry knowledge.

In March 2013 the Finance Monthly research team began contacting its corporate readership to glean direct feedback regarding their experiences and the services received by law firms used. In parallel we asked the readership of Finance Monthly to participate in an online voting process and nominate their preferred law firm for 2013.

This process has led to a celebrated list of winners across the key practice areas in law. Each winner has demonstrated client care, innovation and above all, each firm has delivered results for their respective clients.

Finance Monthly is a global publication providing news, analysis and features on all the latest headlines within the financial and legal sectors. Finance Monthly provides expert analysis on the ever changing financial and corporate worlds on a month by month basis.

© Trade Law Chambers 2013

Finance Monhtly Global Awards 2013

We are delighted to announce that Trade Law Chambers is a winner in the Finance Monthly Global Awards 2013. After a rigorous selection and judging process Trade Law Chambers was selected as the South African International Trade Law Firm of the Year.

This award is further affirmation of our lawyers’ unparalleled experience in the field of international trade law having won similar awards in the recent past. We strive to excel in our chosen field of specialisation and this award will further fuel our pursuit of excellence.

© Trade Law Chambers 2013

Lawyers World Global Awards 2013

Trade Law Chambers has been selected as the winner of the South African Trade and Customs law firm of the year in the Lawyers World Global Awards for 2013.

The Lawyers World Global Awards 2013 recognize a select number of leading professional firms, across the globe, for their individual areas of specialization, within their geographical location.

This latest award again recognises our professionals' expertise and drive to remain at the forefront of the practice of international trade law.

Dealmakers Award

The DealMakers Country Awards 2013 recognize a select number of leading professional firms, across the globe, for their individual areas of specialization, within their geographical location. The DealMakers Country Awards 2013 are presented across all geographical locations that the Monthly Magazine penetrates. The DealMakers Country Awards 2013 recognizes and salutes the organizations & advisers that have performed to exceptional levels during the most difficult period that the global economy has experienced for decades. We are delighted to announce that Trade Law Chambers has been recognized as the South African Trade & Customs Law Firm of the Year in the DealMakers Country Awards 2013.

© Trade Law Chambers 2013

M & A Awards

Yesterday marked the highly anticipated publication of the 2012 winners of the Acquisition International M&A Awards. In partnership with Preqin (Sponsor) and DealGate (Media Partner), the publication marks the culmination of a 6 month search for the very best M&A teams in the world. 

Kathryn Turner, Chief Coordinator, of the Acquisition International M&A Awards, underlined the core strengths of the winners: “During times of economic uncertainty many fail, however the Acquisition International M&A winners have defeated the odds and come into their own. The talent, ingenuity and down-right hard work of all of our winners, in what is still a very competitive market, is living proof that good business can still be done”. Kathryn went on to say: “I would also like to take this opportunity to acknowledge the support provided by Preqin and DealGate, both of whom by way of their promotional activity, helped us to achieve a record number of votes, making this year’s AI winners the most representative in the industry”.

The Acquisition International M&A winners have rallied well from boom to bust, they proved resilient and are superb examples of excellence. Key to their success has been, more than ever, the ability to adapt and act creatively in business and their exceptional performance is expected to continue into next year and beyond.

Trade Law Chambers has been awarded the 2012 Acquisition International M&A Award South African Chambers of the Year.

ACQ Global

The ACQ Global Awards are an annual awards program celebrating the best industry practitioners working across the world. Recognizing the experience and skills that many of the developed nations have, the ACQ Global Awards acknowledges how important it is to be recognized as a leader in our field of expertise.


Following the resounding success of the ACQ Finance Magazine Global Awards in 2011 and recognizing the continued importance of industry expertise, the magazine is proud to announce the results of its ACQ Finance Magazine Global Awards 2012.


Awards are presented across all geographical regions that ACQ Finance Magazine penetrates and are voted for by the industry itself. ACQ Finance Magazine recognise and salute the organisations & advisers that have performed to exceptional levels during the most difficult period that the global economy has experienced for decades.

This marks Trade Law Chamber's second award for 2012 recognising its lawyers' expertise. 

Trade Law Chambers was the category winner for South Africa – Law Chambers of the Year.

Law Awards 2012

The Finance Monthly Law Awards 2012 results have just been released. We are delighted to announce that Trade Law Chambers has been crowned the South African Law Firm for 2012.

The Finance Monthly Law Awards recognize law firms and legal professionals who have outperformed their peers through dedication to client service and work undertaken.

Their research team operates a points system methodology taking into account the following criteria:
• The number of vote nominations received 
• Supporting material, covering statements and evidence supplied
• Amount of documented activity in the last 12 months when compared to industry peers
• Involvement in significant legal cases and legal activity
• Legal expertise and innovation
• Innovation in client care
• Size (value) of involvement within transactions, deals & cases
• Peer recognition and personal achievement
• Strategic thinking and planning
• Previous accolades and entries within the international legal guides

This quantitative and qualitative approach ensures the Finance Monthly Law Awards are based on performance.

This is Trade Law Chambers’ third award for 2012 recognizing our legal expertise and our clients’ satisfaction.

© Trade Law Chambers 2012

2012 Legal Awards

We are delighted to inform you that Trade Law Chambers has won the Acquisition International 2012 legal award - South African Trade & Customs Law Firm of the Year.

Acquisition International is the leading industry title and this year saw record votes cast by Acquisition International’s own subscribers and the international legal community recognising law firms’ achievements throughout the course of 2011 and 2012.

This award reaffirms our unrivalled expertise as international trade lawyers in South Africa.

This is Trade Law Chambers’ fourth award for 2012 recognising our legal expertise and our clients’ satisfaction.


© Trade Law Chambers 2013

Trade & Customs Law Firm for 2013 - Lawyers World Annual Rewards

Trade Law Chambers has again won an award recognising our expertise in international trade law.The lastest award has been achieved in the Lawyers World Annual Awards for 2013. Trade Law Chambers has been voted as the Trade & Customs Law Firm of the Year 2013 - South Africa.

© Trade Law Chambers 2013

Double Award Winners 2013 - Acquisition International

The publishers of Acquisition International Magazine have announced the winners of their 2013 Legal Awards. We are proud to announce that Trade Law Chambers has been recognised as the Trade Law Practitioners of the Year whilst Geldenhuys Joubert Attorneys has been recognised as the International Trade Law Firm of the Year.

The awards recognise the outstanding achievements of individuals and companies within the legal sector, encompassing everything from barristers and boutique firms to global players. Specialities range from energy and immigration to antitrust and intellectual property. Acquisition International’s Legal Awards identify and honour success, innovation and ethics across international legal and business communities.

Acquisition International prides itself on the validity of its awards and its winners. The awards are given solely on merit and are awarded to commend those most deserving for outstanding work over the last 12 months. Our awards recognise leaders in their respective fields and, crucially, are nominated by their clients and their peers.

Trade Law Chambers
2013

CorporateINTL 2015 Legal Awards

Trade Law Chambers has been awarded an award in CorporateINTL 2015 Legal Awards. Trade Law Chambers has been voted as the Boutique International Trade Law Firm of the Year in South Africa.

© Trade Law Chambers 2015

Expert Guides

We are delighted to announce that one of our lawyers has been nominated as one of the best of the best.

Euromoney has been publishing expert guides for 20 years where the world's finest lawyers are chosen by their peers. After the successful completion of the nomination process for the International Trade and Shipping guide where a record number of people actively participated and endorsed the most talented and reputable lawyers, Rian Geldenhuys has been nominated by in-house counsel and lawyers to appear in the 9th edition as one of the leading practitioners in international trade.

© Trade Law Chambers 2014

Worldwide Financial Advisors

Worldwide Financial Advisors Magazine appreciates that the world's leading professionals are called upon to assist with transactional matters throughout the deal process. As such it recognises a select number of leading professionals and professional firms across the globe for their individual areas of specialisation. Trade Law Chambers is delighted to announce that we have been recognised as the South African Customs and Trade Law Firm of the Year.

© Trade Law Chambers 2014

Global Award Winner

Finance Monthly recently announced their Global Awards winners. We are delighted that Rian Geldenhuys has been recognised as the Commercial Lawyer of the Year in South Africa.© Trade Law Chambers 2014