International trade litigation in Temple Terrace
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International trade litigation for Temple Terrace businesses
Ayala Law PA handles international trade litigation for businesses in Temple Terrace and Hillsborough County, including disputes with foreign suppliers, buyers and distributors. Eduardo A. Maura is the lawyer responsible for the content of this page. The firm’s only office is at 1646 W Snow Ave in Tampa, Florida.
The practice focuses on international trade litigation within the firm’s broader business and contract work. Those matters are handled in Florida courts and in arbitration. The firm also takes commercial, shareholder, construction and real estate litigation.
If your company imports, exports or sells through overseas partners, one broken contract can stall cash flow fast. A shipment that never arrives, or an invoice a foreign buyer won’t pay, can leave your business carrying the loss. A dispute is easier to address when the contract and shipping papers are complete and in one place. Our team, including support staff, handles scheduling and document organization under Mr. Maura’s direction.
Common international trade disputes in Temple Terrace
The most common cross-border disputes involve late or missing shipments, goods that don’t match the order, unpaid invoices, and ended overseas distributor or sales agent agreements. Customs holds can also change the price and the delivery date. Most of these problems start with a contract that looked routine at signing.
Payment disputes often involve letters of credit. These are generally tied to shipping documents that must match the contract terms. When documents don’t match, payment can stall. Review those document terms closely before assuming the bank must pay.
Goods disputes carry a timing trap. A buyer that has accepted goods generally must notify the seller of a breach within a reasonable time after it discovers or should have discovered the breach, or it may be barred from a remedy. Waiting while a supplier stalls is a costly mistake.
Where international trade disputes are heard in Florida
Most cross-border disputes end up in Florida state court, federal court or arbitration. The contract language and the facts of the deal decide which one fits. Under Fla. Stat. § 47.011, actions are brought only in the county where the defendant resides, where the cause of action accrued, or where the property in litigation is located. That section does not apply to actions against nonresidents. For a Temple Terrace business suing a Florida defendant, Hillsborough County may be the right county, but that depends on where the breach happened.
Florida courts can also reach companies based outside the state. Under Fla. Stat. § 48.193, a non-resident can be subject to Florida courts for a claim arising from doing business in Florida. The same statute covers a claim for breaching a Florida contract by failing to perform acts the contract required here.
If the contract requires arbitration, the dispute may go to an arbitrator instead of a judge.
How sanctions and export controls affect a trade contract dispute
They can also change how a contract gets performed.
In a dispute, the key question is whether the restriction excuses performance under the exact contract terms. Timing matters. Compare the date the restriction started with the dates in the contract, and record every notice, license request and delay in writing. Clear records make that comparison possible.
Arbitration, governing law and enforcement in Florida
Arbitration is a private process where an arbitrator decides the dispute. Under Fla. Stat. § 682.02, an agreement in a record to arbitrate existing or future disputes is valid, enforceable and irrevocable. The exception is a ground that exists in law or equity for revoking a contract. Federal law sets a similar rule for written arbitration clauses in contracts involving interstate or foreign commerce. Under the federal arbitration statute, a written provision in a contract evidencing a transaction involving commerce to settle by arbitration a controversy arising out of that contract or transaction shall be valid, irrevocable, and enforceable, save upon such grounds as exist at law or in equity for the revocation of any contract.
If the other side refuses to arbitrate, a party can ask a court to act. Under Fla. Stat. § 682.03, if the refusing party opposes the motion, the court orders arbitration unless it finds there is no enforceable agreement to arbitrate. The court may not refuse to order arbitration because the claim lacks merit. Under the federal arbitration statute, a party aggrieved by another’s alleged failure, neglect, or refusal to arbitrate under a written arbitration agreement may petition a United States district court that would otherwise have jurisdiction for an order directing that arbitration proceed as the agreement provides, and five days’ written notice of that application must be served on the party in default.
Governing law matters too. Under Fla. Stat. § 685.101, parties to a contract involving at least $250,000 may generally agree that Florida law governs, whether or not the contract bears a relation to Florida. The statute has exceptions, including for labor or employment contracts and certain personal, family or household transactions.
Not sure what your next step is?
Talk it through with our team — we can walk you through how a situation like yours is usually handled and what your options are.
How Ayala Law PA works with Temple Terrace businesses
The firm starts by reviewing the documents. That usually means the contract, purchase orders, shipping and customs records, payment history and correspondence. A clear timeline helps show what happened and when.
The firm limits its practice to business, commercial, contract, shareholder, construction, real estate and international trade litigation. Eduardo A. Maura is the responsible lawyer. Ayala Law PA handles matters for Temple Terrace and Hillsborough County businesses, and its only office is at 1646 W Snow Ave in Tampa, Florida. Support staff handle scheduling and document organization under Mr. Maura’s direction.
Fees and next steps for your dispute
Case evaluations carry a fee at Ayala Law PA, and the firm explains fees and costs before any engagement. The firm’s phone number is (305) 570-2208. You can also reach the firm through the Ayala Law PA contact page.
What is international trade litigation in Temple Terrace?
International trade litigation covers court or arbitration disputes over cross-border sales, supply, payment and distribution contracts. Ayala Law PA handles these matters for Temple Terrace and Hillsborough County businesses; its only office is at 1646 W Snow Ave in Tampa, Florida.
Which court hears a dispute with a foreign supplier in Florida?
The contract’s forum and arbitration terms come first. Florida state courts, federal court or an arbitrator may hear the dispute, depending on those terms.
How long do I have to tell a seller about defective goods?
For goods a buyer has accepted, notice to the seller is generally required within a reasonable time after the buyer discovers or should have discovered the breach. Otherwise, the buyer may be barred from a remedy.
If a stalled shipment or an unpaid overseas invoice has your business stuck, contact Ayala Law PA now with your contract and shipping records in hand, or call (305) 570-2208.
