International Trade

International Trade OVERVIEW Gowlings has extensive experience in international trade litigation and provides strategic advice in all areas of international trade and customs law. We have represented manufacturers, importers and exporters, concerning anti-dumping and countervail laws, customs cases and export and import control matters, before the Canadian International Trade Tribunal, the Federal Court of Canada and the Federal Court of Appeal. We have extensive experience in NAFTA dispute settlement, including investor state cases under Chapter 11, as counsel and panellist, and have been involved in over 30 cases before the WTO. Gowlings advises Canadian and foreign companies and industry associations on a variety of customs matters, including classification, valuation, rules of origin, customs audits and verifications, the Administrative Monetary Penalty System, export and import permits and the Foreign Extraterritorial Measures A c t. We have special expertise in trade-related intellectual property matters, particularly in relation to pharmaceuticals. Our professionals also have unique experience advising on regulations governing the importation of food and agricultural products, and on issues related to cross-border transportation. The International Trade Law Practice Group has formulated and implemented legislative strategies on behalf of private sector clients and assisted governments in the negotiation and implementation of trade agreements, including NAFTA and the Canada-U.S. Free Trade Agreement. Members of the trade law team are recognized as leaders in their field by top legal publications including the Lexpert Guide to the Leading 500 Lawyers in Canada (Trade and Customs), the Whos Who of Trade and Customs Lawyers, and the Legal Posts Top 100 Canada-U.S. Litigators. They have held senior positions in the Government of Canada and international institutions, including President of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, General Counsel of the Trade Law Bureau of the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, and Director of the Appellate Body Secretariat of the World Trade Organization. Gowlings trade law professionals have lectured on international trade and customs in Canada, the United States, Mexico, Europe, Russia, the Ukraine, Slovakia, South America, China, Japan and Africa, and have published extensively on a variety of topics including WTO dispute settlement and intellectual property matters, as well as on food law in Food in Canada. The Group has also created an International Trade Law website containing detailed information on the Firm's trade law professionals, the Canadian International Trade Tribunal and Canada's trade agreements. OUR SERVICES The International Trade Law Group represents and advises clients on a comprehensive range of issues. Our services include: WTO AND NAFTA Representation in WTO disputes. Representation in NAFTA disputes, including NAFTA Chapter 11 investor-state dispute settlement. Evaluating legal, political, and practical considerations associated with WTO and NAFTA obligations and dispute settlement. Legal and policy advice to governments, companies and industry associations during trade negotiations. Developing and implementing strategies to use rules effectively once trade and investment agreements are in place, including specialized expertise on agreements relating to intellectual property protection and sanitary and phytosanitary measures. ANTIDUMPING, COUNTERVAIL AND SAFEGUARD ACTIONS Representation before the Canadian International Trade Tribunal, the Federal Court of Canada and NAFTA binational panels. Representation in dealing with the Canadian Border Services Agency on duty calculation. Strategic advice on using the Special Import Measures Act to combat unfair competition.