Focused on the food and drink sectorAn international service with clarity and quality

Eversheds is one of the largest international full service law firms with offices in Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia. We have a dedicated food and drink sector and are the recognised leaders in this field. Our work includes corporate finance, acquisition and disposal, and regulatory advice for companies involved in food manufacture and outsourcing. We also assist in highly technical and specific areas such as food labelling, food composition, food regulation and bioscience related issues. Our project management approach gives you greater control and predictability and allows you to reduce workload, minimise disruption and get the best project outcome, on time and within budget.

• Brand and other intellectual property protection We offer pro-active and cost-effective advice on the most appropriate protection of your brand. Our in-house filing practice has extensive experience in all aspects of managing valuable and worldwide brand portfolios. We also assist with licensing and infringement issues relating to brands, designs and copyright.

• Commercial contracts We provide a comprehensive range of commercial legal services ranging from simple supply and purchase agreements, customer terms and conditions through to complex JVs, logistics agreements and outsourcing agreements.

• Corporate finance We act in mergers, acquisitions, disposals, fundraising, reorganisations and corporate governance issues, both on a national and multi-jurisdictional basis.

• Defending prosecutions Defending our food and drink sector clients on a wide range of disputes, including for selling contaminated food, for misleading presentation of products, and for breach of hygiene regulations.

• Environment We advise on a wide range of environmental matters including environmental permitting, waste/energy/ water law, biofuels, producer responsibility (WEEE, REACH and packaging), Carbon Reduction Commitment and Green Leases.

• European food regulation Expertise ranges from tariff classification of food products, market access for EU food producers in third world countries to lobbying in relation to proposed European legislation on food issues.

• Food composition Advising on the composition of products, including flavourings (natural and artificial), colours, sweeteners and other additives.

• Food labelling, advertising and sales Including devising attractive but legal names, labelling, legal clearance for advertisements, marketing/sales promotions, drafting or reviewing agency contracts, and dealing with ASA and Ofcom disputes.

• Franchising We advise many leading domestic and international brands in the food service sector on their expansion strategies and structuring alternatives.

• Health and safety/food safety A dedicated team of lawyers who can advise and support following any incident through the investigation by an enforcement body and the court process.

• Human resources We advise on all types of contentious and non-contentious employment law. We also provide training and a dedicated telephone helpline for clients.

• Insurance Advising clients on alternative insurance strategies in order to deliver savings on premium costs and secure wider coverage terms.

• Litigation and dispute management Whether we are advising on the best way to terminate an agency relationship to minimise risk, managing complex cross-border supply chain disputes, or successfully resolving group action environmental nuisance claims, our unique project management approach to disputes helps our clients achieve the best practical outcome whilst maintaining cost certainty and control.

• Product liability and product recalls In addition to advising and managing recalls in the food and drink sector, we provide a full risk management service to our clients, including crisis strategy planning, review of insurance cover and advice on food safety.

• Tax We advise food and drink companies on the whole spectrum of tax issues, including sector-specific issues.

If you would like to discuss any aspect of our services please contact our team at food@eversheds.com

We look forward to working with you.

Please visit us at:

Twitter: @EvershedsFAD

Blog: foodanddrinkblog.eversheds.com

LinkedIn discussion group: Food and Drink Law

We provide a range of services to the food and drink sector

www.eversheds.com©Eversheds LLP 2012. Eversheds LLP is a limited liability partnership.

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