AACNI is a global independent firm

Focussed on trade, transport and energy

With a personal and innovative approach

About Us

Introduction

We are a legal boutique that brings together independent practices in United Kingdom, Spain, Brazil and Portugal. These practices share knowledge, resources and values.

Trade, shipping and energy are the core sectors most of our clients operate from. Our clients’ profile goes from major international corporations to private individuals and local communities. Our goal is to build lasting relationships with all of them.

We have a hands-on experience in litigation and arbitration, and charge fair rates for advising and representing our clients thereon. Occasionally, we may agree to work pro-bono or on conditional fees.

When it comes to rights and justice, no client is too small and no case is too complex.

Key facts

2000: Our most senior practice is incorporated as a limited liability partnership in Spain. It is named Abogados Asociados para el Comercio, la Navegación y la Industria, SLP.

2008: AACNI is registered as a trademark for services in the EU.

2009: AACNI (UK) LTD. is created in the United Kingdom, and ever since has kept a special focus and dedication to arbitration.

2012: AACNI, de Souza & Nunes Consorcio de Advogados is formed as a consortium of lawyers to attend transnational interests of individuals and firms between Brazil and Spain.

2017: Augusta, Bravo Alves & Associados, Sociedade de Advogados RL joins in providing legal services from Lisbon, Portugal.

Team

In our business people is what matters most. Our team projects confidence, reliance and trust to our clients because we believe in, and stick to, excellence.

Our lawyers, attorneys and solicitors have different skills and backgrounds. They are qualified in different jurisdictions, and altogether are capable of providing a complete assessment in cross-border matters which involve different legal systems.

In addition to practitioners, we count on members of academia and scholars. We are convinced that combining practice and research is key to success in our business.

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Locations

Spain

Abogados Asociados para el Comercio, la Navegación y la Industria, S.L.P.

Via Augusta 143, 08021 Barcelona
Tel. +34 934146668 Fax. +34 934146558

aacni@aacni.com

United Kingdom

AACNI (UK) Limited

Palladia, Central Court, 25 Southampton Buildings, London WC2A 1AL, United Kingdom
Tel. +44(0)2071291271 Fax. +44(0)1334476496

aacni@aacni.com

Portugal

Augusta Bravo, Alves & Associados, Sociedade de Advogados, RL

Av. da República, nº 6 – 2º Dtº 1050-191 Lisboa / Portugal
Tel. (+351) 21 350 02 00 Fax. (+351) 21 350 02 09

aacni@aacni.com

Brazil

AACNI, de Souza & Nunes, Consórcio de Advogados

Rua 15 de novembro, 1336, sobreloja, sala 08.
CEP 89010-902 Blumenau/ SC – Brasil
Tel. +55 11 30422452 Fax. +55 47 33251732

aacni@aacni.com

News

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Brands

AACNI

AACNI is a brand for legal boutiques. It is registered as a trademark in the EU. Behind the acronym, there is an elaborated business model which pursues growth, efficiency and excellence. This model materialises in a network of practices spread in different countries. They are not linked to each other by hierarchy or equity-based ties. They are entirely independent and self-governed. However, they share values, resources and skills, and generally team up in cross-border matters which require expertise in different jurisdictions.

The Arbitration Watch

The Arbitration Watch is a meeting point for practitioners and academics with an interest on arbi- tration. It has two limbs: a portal and a journal. The portal is found at www.arbitrationwatch.com. It provides knowledge in various forms, going from an arbitration atlas to a check-list for enforcement. Turning to the journal, this is a review of news, laws and cases related to arbitration. We are proud to say that it counts with more than 500 subscribers around the world. The Arbitration Watch went live in February 2009. Ever since, we have been leading the project, editing the contents and sponsoring the costs. But we also welcome new participants.

Areas of practice

“STRONG CAPABILITIES IN ARBITRATION”

Chambers & Partners, 2015

“THIS COMPACT FIRM CONTINUES TO PUNCH ABOVE ITS WEIGHT”

Chambers & Partners, 2012

“A RENOWNED AND LEADING FIRM IN TRADE, SHIPPING AND ENERGY”

Martindale, 2010

“THE DISPUTE RESOLUTION TEAM EXCELS IN ARBITRATION”

Chambers & Partners, 2014

Commercial

We provide tailored solutions to manufacturers, retailers, purchasers, suppliers, banks and, generally, to all those engaged in commercial activities.

We are conversant in drafting and revising contracts of agency, brokerage, concession, distributorship or franchising.

CORPORATE AND M&A

We advice companies from the early stage of their foundation set-up stage, through their growth and expansion, up until their exit route or hand over. Our involvement covers issues like the incorporation process, shareholders agreements, accounting and book-keeping, etc.

We can also be of help in crucial times the company may go through, like takeovers, MBOs, joint-ventures or partnership agreements, involving foreign capital and or tech- nology.

DISPUTE RESOLUTION

We excel in this area of law. We have a hands-on experience in contentious work either before the courts or arbitration panels in commercial disputes. We mediate, arbitrate, and litigate disputes in all sorts of commercial matters. No case is too small or too big for us.

We are qualified to act in different jurisdictions, including Spain, France, Brazil, Portugal or England & Wales, to say a few.

Our team members serve as Counsel before adjudication bodies of renowned institutions like the ICC, Gafta, Fosfa, SAOL, RSA, LMAA, CAIP, Cietac or LCIA, in countries like United Kingdom, Spain, France, Brazil or UAE.

We are also conversant in arbitration disputes where we can act either for or against States before panels at  ICSID, SCC, ICC and in “ad hoc” arbitrations.

“Dispute resolution is a cornerstone of this compact firm, which continues to punch above its weight.” Chambers & Partners, 2012.

“The lawyers handle litigation and arbitration for a global client base.” Chambers & Partners, 2012.

ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT

We provide legal assessment of startup and enlargement projects related to the production and/or management of all types of energies. We offer due diligence on environmental liabilities and provide legal advice in a liberalised electricity market on contracts and brokerage.

Our advice is addressed to carriers, brokers or agents. We deal as well with ATR contracts and trading in general.

We also conduct litigation, arbitration and administrative contentious files involving private or public interests related to energy and environmental issues.

“The team is recognised for its powers in trade, shipping and energy issues.” Chambers & Partners, 2012.

INSURANCE

We act for subrogated cargo insurers in disputes related to maritime, road and air transport. Instructions are also undertaken in areas like civil liability, tort and personal injury.

Our clients are underwriters, insured interests and/or third parties. Underwriters have an important role in our portfolio and many of them instruct us on a regular basis for contentious and non-contentious work.

Occasionally, we offer blended rates in the insurance industry to stabilize the clients’ outlays and ensure the efficiency of recoveries.

“A compact team assisting global commodities traders and insurers with disputes.” Chambers & Partners, 2015.

INTERNATIONAL TRADE

This is one of our core areas of practice. We are very knowledgeable on day to day situations arising in the trade of commodities, from moneys due to sophisticated legal conundrums. We have a deep understanding of trades like grain, steel, cement, chemicals, oil and edible soft commodities like sugar, cocoa or coffee.

Our team members regularly serve, as Counsels or arbitrators, in international trade disputes. We have a hands-on experience in commodity arbitrations before internationally renowned institutions like ICC, Gafta, Fosfa, CAIP, RSA, SAOL, etc.

But we also do non-contentious work, like advising in sale contracts, letters of credit, collateral securities, indemnities, warrants or international sanctions.

“A compact team assisting global commodities traders and insurers with disputes.” Chambers & Partners, 2015.

SHIPPING & TRANSPORT

This is our niche practice. As far as we are concerned, it all started with shipping.

We have particular expertise in charter-parties, CoAs and Bills of Lading. Our day to day practice does not exist without the handling freight, demurrage and defence, off-hire disputes, bunkers’ claims and cargo damages, amongst many others.

We credit ourselves of being a leading firm in arresting and/or releasing ships under maritime claims and privileges.

Instructions can be taken from shipowners, charterers, bankers, ship agents, ship-suppliers, freight-forwarders, NVOCC, traders and/or merchants.

We also carry out formalities and incorporation for ship mortgages, sale & purchase, and ship-registration.

As far as road transit is concerned, CMR disputes are a common place to us. Working for some of the major underwriters has given us privileged position in this area.

“AACNI´s boutique practice is particularly known for representing ship and cargo owners in arbitration. Legal 500, 2011.

INVESTMENT ARBITRATION

We offer extensive expertise in international investment arbitration. Our International Arbitration Team benefits from a geographically diverse group of practitioners and scholars working together to offer the best advise and successful strategies to our clients, in terms of forum, legal instruments and arbitral selection.

We advise in matters concerning large scale projects in regulated sectors such as those linked to natural resources, public utilities, telecommunications, infrastructures, waste management, etc.

Our involvement goes from the negotiation of projects between investors and States (or their instrumentalities) to the contentious stage, either in domestic courts or in international arbitration.

We are familiarised with international instruments like Bilateral and Multilateral Investment Treaties, the Energy Charter Treaty, ICSID, NAFTA and other inter-State agreements, and have wide experience representing private parties before regular international fori.

“Has strong capabilities in arbitration, showcased by its recent key mandates before domestic and international arbitration tribunals.” Chambers & Partners, 2015.

Contact

For general enquiries, please use the form or the email below

aacni@aacni.com

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