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Clifford Chance

Clifford Chance

Expertise & Experience

In this section

International law is extremely relevant to any cross-border activity and therefore to any public or private sector entity involved in trans-national trade, commerce and investment. In a shrinking world, global and regional cooperation increases the need for an understanding of developments in international law and the ever-expanding impact of international and extra-territorial regulation.

For over 40 years our dedicated team has advised corporations, sovereign States and international organisations on the complex and far-reaching effects of public and private international law and, increasingly, on international regulation and enforcement, including:

  • Economic sanctions
  • Export controls
  • Business and human rights, including corporate responsibility issues
  • Anti-money laundering, anti-corruption and anti-terrorism regulation
  • Bilateral investment treaties and investment protection
  • International environmental law and regulation 
  • International trade law, including the WTO regime
  • Risk assessments for international projects and investments. 

Traditional public international law is extremely important in relationships involving a State or international organisation and we advise on:

  • Treaties and their interpretation
  • Territorial issues, boundaries and jurisdiction
  • Recognition of states, state succession
  • State responsibility 
  • Human rights and international humanitarian law 
  • International environmental law and regulation
  • Law of the sea 
  • State and diplomatic immunity 
  • Privileges and immunities of international organisations 
  • Proceedings before specially constituted claims tribunals 
  • Proceedings before other international courts and tribunals, including the International Court of Justice.

Directory listings and client comments

  • Significant player in the London public international law market, with an impressive client roster of energy and natural resources companies, as well as international organisations. Undertakes high-value investor-state disputes, as well as advising on issues of state and diplomatic immunity. Demonstrates strong expertise in the areas of international sanctions regimes and human rights in business. Also advises on intergovernmental agreements, sovereignty issues and maritime jurisdictional disputes.
    One market source appreciates the firm's "creativity in framing matters in a practical way" and adds that the lawyers "analyse the risks in ways which aren't formulaic, but adaptable."
    Chambers UK 2020: Public International Law – Band 1
  • Clifford Chance LLP has significant bench strength in international investment arbitration, as well as in complex and politically sensitive issues in the field of public international law
    Legal 500 UK 2020: Public International Law – Band 1