The supply chain

Whether our clients are involved with production, quality, delivery or ownership, we help them with the legal issues they encounter at every stage of the supply chain, both in the UK and internationally.

This ranges from sourcing raw materials, through the design, manufacture and delivery processes, until the arrival of the products which, directly or indirectly, are consumed by consumers. Our UK and international clients operate at all stages of the supply chains relevant to industries as diverse as automotive, consumer electronics, fashion, food and drink, medical supplies and toys throughout the world. We advise on agency, distribution, franchise, sub-contract and supply agreements and the terms and conditions of sale, purchase, and business, as well as the use (and prohibition) of online platforms which underlie the agreements which our clients enter into. So why Fox Williams? Simply because we deliver for our clients in helping them make the business decisions and enter or exit the agreements which match their commercial objectives, whilst observing UK, EU and international legal requirements.

The supply chain experience

• PPE and other safety equipment need strong supply chains. We assisted a major UK supplier in ensuring that its upstream and downstream supply chains work efficiently in these difficult times. 

• We advised a US footwear brand in respect of its relationship with a large retailer as the retailer went through two insolvency procedures, advising on issues of retention of title and stock management, as well as risk management in respect of future business dealings.

• Selective distribution arrangements can provide a way for some businesses through the maze of EU and UK competition laws. We advised a leading European beauty business on putting in place a selective distribution arrangement with its UK stockists.

• We advised a British luxury fashion house on its terms and conditions of sale with European retailers, advising on issues of transfer of risk and ownership as against payment, and addressing the risk of currency fluctuations by way of the inclusion of specialist contractual provisions.

• ESG issues are important to many businesses. To assist our client in meeting its obligations we prepared an agreement with its quality control partners in India and Turkey.

• We advised a British luxury automotive brand on putting in place a manufacturing and supply agreement with its sub-contractors, advising on issues of supply of goods, intellectual property rights and sampling.

• We advised a European shoe brand in respect of its terms and conditions of sale, advising on adapting terms for use in the UK market and issues relating to the battle of the forms and retention of title for use in situations of non-payment by retailers.

• We advised a US engineering company supplying the automotive industry in respect of terminating its agency agreement with an underperforming agent. This was in order to implement a new agency agreement aimed at incentivising the agent, whilst also putting our client in the best position possible to guard against future compensation claims.

• We advised a fashion supplier to a large UK retailer on its response to the retailer requesting to cancel, delay and amend orders for products in light of Covid-19. We advised on issues such as formation of contract, variation of terms and reserving our client’s position during commercial negotiations.

• We advised a British company in respect of setting up a manufacturing and supply arrangement with its manufacturers based outside Europe. Our advice covered issues such as indemnification against specific high risk loss given the specialist goods to be supplied, and on flexible ordering and forecasting arrangements to provide the manufacturer with enough certainty to be in a position to accept orders whilst providing our client with the necessary room to adapt to a changing market.