Practicing Law in a Flat WorldPracticing Law in a Flat World
Presented by
Jim ChesterJim ChesterJ.D. / LL.M. / CHBJ.D. / LL.M. / CHB
A Discussion of Common International Legal Issues
Why is the World Why is the World ““FlatFlat””??
•• Every person and business is affectedEvery person and business is affectedby globalizationby globalization
•• Technology & Globalization haveTechnology & Globalization haveleveled the international leveled the international ““playing fieldplaying field””•• Increased competitionIncreased competition
•• Outsourcing of servicesOutsourcing of services, including legal, including legalservicesservices
The The ““MythMyth”” of of Private International LawPrivate International Law
•• Law - Law - a rule of conduct or action prescribed or formallya rule of conduct or action prescribed or formallyrecognized as binding or enforced by a controlling authorityrecognized as binding or enforced by a controlling authority(Webster(Webster’’s Dictionary)s Dictionary)
•• No No ““supra-nationalsupra-national”” court or police force court or police force
•• Does Exist, but not in any one sourceDoes Exist, but not in any one source•• As codified in national lawsAs codified in national laws•• Via contract between partiesVia contract between parties•• Industry standards andIndustry standards and customscustoms
Private InternationalPrivate International LawLaw
Three Main Elements:Three Main Elements:1.1. International Business Transactions (IBT)International Business Transactions (IBT)
2.2. International Trade Law (ITL)International Trade Law (ITL)
3.3. International Civil Litigation (ICL)International Civil Litigation (ICL)
IBT ICLWeeks/Months Years/Decades
Private InternationalPrivate International LawLaw
International Business Transactions (IBT)International Business Transactions (IBT)
95% - Domestic law 95% - Domestic law - - (e.g., contract)(e.g., contract)
5% - International5% - InternationalSpecial ConsiderationsSpecial Considerations
PracticalPractical
Currency Risk, etc.Currency Risk, etc.
Legal - ContractingLegal - Contracting
Jurisdiction, Translations, etc.Jurisdiction, Translations, etc.
Effect of foreign lawsEffect of foreign laws
CISGCISGUCC v. INCOterms2000UCC v. INCOterms2000
International Business Transactions (IBT)International Business Transactions (IBT)
International ContractsInternational Contracts
Distribution AgreementsDistribution Agreements
Joint VenturesJoint Ventures
Setting up Foreign CompaniesSetting up Foreign Companies
Setting up U.S. SubsidiariesSetting up U.S. Subsidiaries
Examples of IBT Legal MattersExamples of IBT Legal Matters
International Civil Litigation (ICL)International Civil Litigation (ICL)
95% - Domestic law (US or other)95% - Domestic law (US or other) 5% - International Aspects5% - International Aspects
Special Legal IssuesSpecial Legal IssuesJurisdiction, etc.Jurisdiction, etc.Deposing Foreigners - Deposing Foreigners - ““comitycomity”” or local law or local law
International ConventionsInternational ConventionsHague ConventionsHague Conventions
Service of ProcessService of Process Taking Evidence Abroad (depositions, etc.)Taking Evidence Abroad (depositions, etc.)
IntInt’’l Enforcement of Judgmentsl Enforcement of Judgments
International Civil Litigation (ICL)International Civil Litigation (ICL)
Suing ThereSuing ThereJurisdiction IssuesJurisdiction Issues International Procedural RulesInternational Procedural RulesSupervising IntSupervising Int’’l Counsell Counsel
Suing HereSuing HereJurisdiction IssuesJurisdiction IssuesCollecting Foreign JudgmentsCollecting Foreign JudgmentsObtaining Evidence from Foreign PartiesObtaining Evidence from Foreign Parties
Examples of ICL Legal MattersExamples of ICL Legal Matters
International Trade Law (ITL)International Trade Law (ITL)
99% Domestic Law - U.S. or other99% Domestic Law - U.S. or other Key ElementsKey Elements
Customs & Import LawCustoms & Import LawExport Control & Trade SanctionsExport Control & Trade SanctionsTrade Agreements & Preference ProgramsTrade Agreements & Preference ProgramsTrade RegulationTrade Regulation
International Trade Law (ITL)International Trade Law (ITL)
Customs and Import LawCustoms and Import LawProtestsProtestsRuling RequestsRuling Requests Import Compliance ProgramsImport Compliance ProgramsFines & PenaltiesFines & PenaltiesLiquidated DamagesLiquidated DamagesSeizures & ForfeituresSeizures & Forfeitures Internal Audits & Compliance AssessmentsInternal Audits & Compliance AssessmentsCargo Security (C-TPAT, etc.)Cargo Security (C-TPAT, etc.)Foreign-Trade ZonesForeign-Trade Zones
Examples of ITL Legal MattersExamples of ITL Legal Matters
International Trade Law (ITL)International Trade Law (ITL)
Export Control & Trade SanctionsExport Control & Trade SanctionsExport LicensingExport LicensingExport Compliance ProgramsExport Compliance ProgramsSanctions & EmbargoesSanctions & EmbargoesInternal Audits & ComplianceInternal Audits & Compliance
AssessmentsAssessments
Examples of ITL Legal MattersExamples of ITL Legal Matters
International Trade Law (ITL)International Trade Law (ITL)
Trade Agreements & Preference ProgramsTrade Agreements & Preference ProgramsNAFTANAFTAWTO/GATTWTO/GATTFTAAFTAAGeneralized System of Preferences (GSP)Generalized System of Preferences (GSP)Bi-Lateral Free Trade AgreementsBi-Lateral Free Trade Agreements
(Singapore, Australia, Jordan, Israel, etc.)(Singapore, Australia, Jordan, Israel, etc.)
Examples of ITL Legal MattersExamples of ITL Legal Matters
International Trade Law (ITL)International Trade Law (ITL)
Trade RegulationTrade RegulationQuotasQuotasAntidumpingAntidumpingCountervailing Duties/SubsidiesCountervailing Duties/SubsidiesSafeguards (§201, §301, etc.)Safeguards (§201, §301, etc.)Foreign Corrupt Practices ActForeign Corrupt Practices ActAntiboycottAntiboycottITARITAR
Examples of ITL Legal MattersExamples of ITL Legal Matters
Questions?Questions?
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