Corporate & Business Law · European Union
Trade Across Borders With an International Business Lawyer Who Knows the Rules
Cross-border business means contracts governed by foreign law, supply chains spanning several countries, and compliance obligations that change at every border. We match you, free of charge, with a lawyer who handles international trade, cross-border contracts and regulatory compliance across Europe, so a dispute in another jurisdiction doesn’t become your problem.
- Cross-border contracts & trade
- Choice of law & jurisdiction
- No fee to get matched
No commitment. No hidden fees.
Get matched with a lawyer
Tell us about your situation and receive a free, confidential case review.
Who this is for
When your business crosses a border, so does the law that governs it
International business law covers the legal framework for companies that buy, sell, supply, employ and operate across more than one country. It pulls together cross-border contracts, international trade and customs, choice of law and jurisdiction, and the regulatory and tax obligations that apply when your activities cross a border. The difficulty is that there is no single ‘international’ set of rules: each transaction may be governed by the law of one country, performed in another, and enforced in a third, and the outcome of any dispute depends heavily on which law applies and where. A lawyer experienced in cross-border work helps you choose the right governing law, draft contracts that hold up, and manage compliance so that growth into new markets doesn’t come with unmanaged legal risk.
Why companies get stuck
Every border adds a layer of law.
Most businesses only notice when something breaks.
Contracts, customs and compliance all work differently from one country to the next, and a problem usually surfaces at the worst possible moment.
Contracts governed by unfamiliar law
A contract that works under one country’s law may mean something very different under another’s. Choosing the wrong governing law or jurisdiction can leave you unable to enforce your rights when a deal goes wrong.
Customs, trade and sanctions risk
Export and import rules, tariffs, product standards and sanctions regimes differ by country and change frequently. A single oversight can delay shipments, trigger fines, or expose you to liability you never saw coming.
Disputes across borders
When a supplier or customer in another country doesn’t perform, you face questions of which court, which law, and how to enforce a judgement. Without a clear dispute clause, resolving even a small matter can become slow and expensive.
What you get
Contracts and compliance built to travel
We only match you with lawyers who handle cross-border trade and contracts regularly, so the advice reflects how the rules work in practice.
Cross-border contract drafting
Distribution, agency, supply and services agreements drafted for the jurisdictions involved, with clear governing law and dispute clauses so your rights are enforceable wherever the deal is performed.
Trade & customs compliance
Guidance on export controls, import duties, product standards and sanctions so your shipments move without delay and your business stays on the right side of changing rules.
Choice of law & jurisdiction
Advice on which law should govern your contracts and where disputes should be heard — decisions that shape every future disagreement, made with the outcome in mind rather than by default.
Market entry & expansion
Whether opening a subsidiary, appointing a distributor or selling across borders, your lawyer maps the legal and regulatory requirements so expansion doesn’t stall on compliance.
Coverage
International business lawyers across Europe
Trade, customs and contract law are largely national, so the right lawyer is one who works in the markets where you buy, sell or operate. We match cross-border businesses across the following countries and beyond:
Frequently asked
International business law — common questions
What is international business law?
It’s the body of rules and practice governing commercial activity that crosses national borders — cross-border contracts, trade and customs, choice of law, and the regulatory and tax obligations involved. Because there is no single international code, each transaction is shaped by the laws of the countries it touches.
Which law governs my cross-border contract?
Usually the law the parties choose in the contract. If none is chosen, default rules determine it, which can be unpredictable. Selecting a clear governing law and jurisdiction up front is one of the most valuable things a lawyer can help you do.
Do I need a local lawyer in every country I trade with?
Not necessarily. A lawyer experienced in cross-border work can often coordinate matters in several countries, engaging local counsel where a specific issue requires it. This keeps your legal work coherent and avoids conflicting advice.
What are Incoterms and why do they matter?
Incoterms are internationally recognised terms that allocate costs, risk and responsibility for transport between buyer and seller. Choosing the right one affects who bears the risk of damage or delay, so they should be selected deliberately, not by default.
How are cross-border business disputes resolved?
Typically through the courts of a chosen jurisdiction or through arbitration, depending on what the contract specifies. A well-drafted dispute clause makes enforcement of any judgement or award far more practical, especially across borders.
What compliance issues should I watch when trading internationally?
Export controls, sanctions, customs duties, product standards and anti-corruption rules all apply and vary by country and sector. A lawyer will help you identify the obligations that apply to your goods, markets and trading partners.
Free case review
Grow across borders without learning the hard way
Tell us where you trade and what’s in front of you, and we’ll connect you with an international business lawyer who handles cross-border work every day — free of charge, with no obligation to hire.