International business
Market entry and international projects combine commercial agreements with local regulatory requirements. We advise on German and EU workstreams and coordinate the foreign-law input a project needs.
Scope of our advice
The legal structure may involve a subsidiary, branch, distributor, joint venture or project consortium. Licensing, procurement, financing, employment, tax, data and political-risk issues must be integrated into the timetable.
What needs attention
A single template rarely works across all countries. Allocate responsibility for permits and local advice, and distinguish legal feasibility from commercial forecasts.
Building the market-entry plan around dependencies
International expansion links entity structure, sales channels, staff, premises, IP and regulation. We first identify what the business will actually do in the new market and which commitments are required before revenue begins. A distributor, subsidiary, joint venture and direct cross-border model create different legal dependencies. Local tax, employment and regulatory advice is coordinated with the commercial structure so that the selected model can operate as intended.
How the legal work is organised
The project plan separates decisions that can be standardised from matters requiring local confirmation. Contracts should allocate responsibility for licences, technical approvals, import requirements, customer support and changes in law. Large projects also need consistent schedules, acceptance, variations, delay allocation and dispute provisions across the contract chain. Payment security and the consequences of suspension should be considered before mobilisation. A responsibility matrix and staged decision points help the business avoid committing to an expensive launch before essential approvals or partner arrangements are in place.
Four practical examples
Illustrative scenarios explaining typical legal issues; these are not statements about specific client mandates.
European expansion
A non-European business enters Germany through a distributor. We compare the contractual route with establishing a local subsidiary.
Practical approach. Separate incorporation from the permissions and registrations needed to trade. A staged launch plan can prevent premature hiring, leasing or customer commitments while essential local requirements remain unresolved.
Infrastructure consortium
Several companies bid together for a project. We agree roles, liability, intellectual property and the consequences of a failed bid.
Practical approach. Align acceptance, variations and liability across the project chain. A subcontract that gives broad relief while the main contract imposes strict deadlines may leave the contractor carrying an unintended gap.
Local partner
An investor proposes a joint venture with an established operator. We review due diligence, governance and mechanisms for resolving disagreements.
Practical approach. Assess the partner’s role, authority and incentives alongside the commercial opportunity. The contract should make clear who owns customer relationships and what happens to them if the partnership ends.
Project interruption
A change in regulatory conditions threatens delivery. We analyse change-in-law, termination and compensation clauses and coordinate local advice.
Practical approach. The response should distinguish contractual suspension, force majeure or other relief from a commercial inability to perform. Preserve notices and cost records, and assess termination, security and obligations to project partners separately.
Preparing the first discussion
Prepare the proposed operating model, countries, partners, product or service description, staffing plan and projected contractual commitments. Identify critical dates and dependencies, including premises, customer orders or permits. For a project, supply the main and subcontract drafts together so that mismatched obligations, exclusions and schedules can be identified before negotiations are concluded.
Related expertise
Cross-border contracts · International sales & CISG · Customs & export controls
Discuss your business matter
Tell us which parties and countries are involved, what you want to achieve and whether a deadline is approaching. We will clarify the scope, the appropriate legal team and the fee arrangements before work begins.
Reference: Rome I Regulation. English translations of German legislation may lag behind the authoritative German text. Application depends on the facts and the relevant current law.