Supply Chain Hub

Recent global events have put the resilience and adaptability of global businesses to the test. Many businesses face a wide range of supply change challenges once those supply chains stretch across borders. Global supply chain management involves extensive counter party relationship management, and logistical planning, impacted by geopolitical, social, cultural and regulatory factors that are ever changing. These issues can be particularly complex and frequently span across multiple legal disciplines and jurisdictions. 

Our Client Proposition

• Strategic set-up: Advising client on the best supply chain structure to achieve strategic and commercial objectives
• Comply and maintain: Identifying regulatory changes to minimise clients' risks
• Maximize value: Achieving maximum value through the set up and ongoing performance of clients' supply chain routes
• Manage disruption: Supporting clients to respond to difficult trading conditions

Our Holistic Approach

International trade, export controls and sanctions, environmental, social and governance (ESG) factors, and technology are critical considerations in global supply chain management.

International Trade, Export Controls and Sanctions significantly influence supply chain dynamics by affecting the movement of goods and services internationally. Sanctions can limit access to markets and suppliers, causing disruptions and increased costs for businesses. This necessitates that companies remain agile and informed about geopolitical changes to navigate compliance challenges and mitigate risks. While trade agreements can enhance efficiency and reduce tariffs, sanctions may force businesses to seek alternative sources or routes. Companies must adapt their supply chain strategies to ensure compliance and resilience in a fluctuating regulatory environment, as understanding the relationship between international trade, export controls and sanctions is crucial for effective risk management.

ESG considerations are increasingly shaping global supply chains as companies strive to meet stakeholder expectations and regulatory requirements. Businesses are now held accountable for their environmental impact, labour practices, and governance structures, prompting them to adopt sustainable practices throughout their supply chains. This includes sourcing materials responsibly, ensuring fair labour conditions, and minimizing carbon footprints. By integrating ESG principles, companies not only enhance their brand reputation but also mitigate risks associated with regulatory penalties and supply chain disruptions, ultimately contributing to long-term sustainability and resilience.

International Trade, Export Controls and Sanctions, ESG and Technology - modern supply chain management

Our Focus on International Trade, Export Controls and Sanctions

International trade, export controls and sanctions play a significant role in global supply chain management. Trade agreements, tariffs, and sanctions imposed by governments can impact the flow of goods and services across borders, affecting sourcing decisions, production costs, and distribution channels. Companies operating in global supply chains must stay informed about trade regulations and sanctions to ensure compliance and mitigate risks. Sanctions, in particular, can restrict or prohibit trade with specific countries, entities, or individuals, leading to disruptions in the supply chain.

Organisations need to assess the potential impact of trade policies and sanctions on their supply chain operations and implement strategies to navigate these challenges effectively. This may involve diversifying sourcing locations, establishing contingency plans, and leveraging technology to enhance visibility and agility in response to changing trade dynamics. By proactively managing International trade, export controls, and sanctions issues, companies can safeguard their supply chain resilience and maintain business continuity in the global marketplace.

In our Global Supply Chain Management international trade, export controls, and sanctions Insight, we illustrate our capabilities in assisting the challenges arising from the global regulatory landscape, including success stories of the work we conduct for clients globally. 

Read about our capability

Our international multi-discipline Supply Chain advisory team comprising specialists in trade, import/export controls and sanctions, antitrust and competition law, strategic contracts, restructuring and reorganisations, and dispute resolution, advises clients on all facets of supply chain issues, across all relevant areas of law and in different parts of the world. provide advice across all relevant areas of law, working as one team through our international offices to provide solutions to your supply chain challenges.

Contract Resilience - Pricing Variation

The global supply chain network has been subject to increased pressure in the past few years, particularly due to geopolitical events and the pandemic. A key focus for businesses is maximizing their resilience. It is important to be aware of market conditions and evaluate how your supply chain might respond to risk, so you can easily navigate through issues that arise in the future.

We have built a three-part series on Building Resilience in Your Contracts to help you address these challenges. In the first part, we cover the basics of key pricing terms and their implications, explore various pricing mechanisms, and provide sector-specific insights into unique pricing strategies across different industries. The second instalment focuses on building resilience in your contracts by highlighting essential contractual mechanisms. Topics include handling variations, setting clear parameters for price changes, adjusting prices to reflect market changes, and managing exchange rate fluctuations.

In the final part of our series, we delve into managing price fluctuations and addressing issues that may arise during the contract. We discuss immediate steps for addressing pricing disputes, key contractual provisions to consider, effective dispute resolution mechanisms, and evaluating the broader commercial impact of these disputes.

Read the article series