Sanctions and Trade

Our Sanctions and Trade team advises on all aspects of UK and international sanctions law. We help clients understand, comply with, and respond to restrictions affecting trade, investment, and financial activity across multiple jurisdictions.

Sanctions and Trade

We have extensive experience navigating the frameworks established under the Sanctions and Anti-Money Laundering Act 2018, the Russia (Sanctions) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019, and the Export Control Order 2008, together with related instruments.

Our work also covers the interface between sanctions, export controls, and foreign investment regimes, including the National Security and Investment Act 2021 and the licensing procedures of the Export Control Joint Unit (ECJU) within the Department for Business and Trade.

Our advice is pragmatic, commercially grounded, and responsive to evolving geopolitical risk. We work closely with clients’ legal and compliance teams to deliver workable solutions that protect both regulatory integrity and business continuity.

We support clients across a range of sanctions and trade control matters, including:

  • Financial and trade sanctions compliance: advising on obligations under the UK sanctions regime, UN Security Council measures, and EU frameworks, including asset freezes, investment restrictions, and prohibitions on trade in controlled goods and services.
  • Engagement with regulators and financial institutions: liaising with the Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation (OFSI) on licence applications, variations, compliance matters, and voluntary disclosures, and working with third-party banks to progress payment instructions affected by sanctions screening.
  • Export controls and licensing: preparing applications to the ECJU and advising on the export of controlled or dual-use goods, software, and technology under UK export control legislation.
  • Drafting and negotiating contractual protections: ensuring that commercial agreements contain appropriate provisions to comply with sanctions obligations and mitigate enforcement and termination risks.
  • Sectoral and targeted sanctions: assessing exposure under specific UK and international measures affecting the energy, defence, technology, and insurance sectors.
  • Due diligence and risk assessment: conducting counterparty screening and analysing ownership and control structures to determine whether individuals or entities are designated persons.
  • Policy and training support: developing internal sanctions policies, escalation procedures, and tailored training for legal and commercial teams.

Our Sanctions and Trade Experience

Compliance Advice

Advising on compliance with the Russia (Sanctions) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 in connection with the winding down of operations in Russia.

Export Control Issues, UK

Acting for a UK technology company on export control issues concerning the sale of goods to China, including securing authorisation from the National Clearance Hub.

Licence Applications

Preparing and submitting licence applications under the Russia (Sanctions) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019.

SIEL Applications

Advising on Standard Individual Export Licence (SIEL) applications and notifications under the National Security and Investment Act 2021 relating to the transfer of software to a Chinese entity.

Interactions with OFSI

Supporting clients in interactions with OFSI, including licence grants, amendments, and post-clearance compliance obligations.

Due Diligence

Conducting counterparty due diligence and assessing eligibility to participate in projects affected by UK sectoral sanctions and potential designations.