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Trade & Commodities Finance

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With dedicated teams of trade finance lawyers globally, we combine our sector expertise across fields such as energy and utilities, natural resources and agribusiness, with a wealth of experience in the full range of financing products offered to traders, exporters and producers. 

We support a broad spectrum of participants in the commodities market: from the world’s largest traders to global investment and development banks, specialised funds and other financial institutions. We are actively following and advising on the fintech developments that are affecting and improving trade finance. 

Our service offering  

Our multidisciplinary specialist team in South Africa, supported by over 70 offices globally and a network of firms in other African countries, has a proven track record in providing advice across all aspects of trade and commodities financing.

Whether you are doing an innovative, highly structured transaction, such as receivables-based financings, export and multilateral credits or commodity-based financings, we will be able to provide tailored advice both in South Africa and elsewhere. Examples of areas on which we regularly advise are:

  • borrowing base lending  
  • commodities repo transactions
  • credit insurance and guarantees
  • export credit facilities
  • immunity, sanctions and other sovereign issues
  • instruments such as letters of credit, performance bonds and bills of exchange
  • prepayment, borrowing base and reserve base facilities
  • security over receivables, goods and documents of title
  • sub-participation facilities
  • supply chain financing
  • trade and foreign exchange regulations
  • trading contracts 
  • transport and storage contracts
  • true sale of receivables and goods

The team is experienced, efficient, well priced and professional

Legal 500 | Banking & Finance, South Africa, 2020

CMS has developed a notable profile and market share in South Africa's banking space. The firm represents a range of borrowers and lenders, including major South African banks and international development finance institutions. The group possesses expertise covering private placements and preference shares, project financing and debt restructuring, among other matters. It has additional capabilities on which the South African practice can draw, from across its network of global offices.

Chambers & Partners, Banking & Finance, South Africa, 2023

Strengths include "handled complex matters with speedy turnaround, and with a good balance between the legal versus the pragmatic".

Chambers & Partners, Banking & Finance, South Africa, 2023

Strengths include "were able to conclude the requisite transactions in record time, largely due to the very strong service levels of CMS".

Chambers & Partners, Banking & Finance, South Africa, 2023

They are very knowledgeable, efficient and professional. They specialise in corporate, commercial and banking law and have an excellent track record.

Chambers & Partners, South Africa, 2024

The firm handled complex matters with speedy turnaround, and with a good balance between the legal versus the pragmatic.

Chambers & Partners, South Africa, 2024

We were able to conclude the requisite transactions in record time, largely due to the very strong service levels of CMS.

Chambers & Partners, South Africa, 2024
21/02/2023
CMS Expert Guide on Trade Secrets Case Law
As a business, your most valued assets can be the things you can’t touch or see.Intangible assets such as patents, formulas, software, designs and data are now driving corporate performance. And in a global, di­git­ally-con­nec­ted marketplace, keeping t
Comparable
07/06/2022
CMS Expert Guide to trade secrets
As a business, your most valued assets can be the things you can’t touch or see. Intangible assets such as patents, formulas, software, designs and data are now driving corporate performance. And in a global, di­git­ally-con­nec­ted marketplace, keeping
Comparable

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