Over the past 35 years, Richard has handled more than 250 anti-dumping cases for clients from all over the world, including the US, Canada, China, Korea, Taiwan, Egypt, the Middle East, Latin America and most Southeast Asian countries. His expertise encompasses a wide range of industries, including steel, textiles, chemical products, energy and electronics.
In the field of WTO law, Richard advises governments, public institutions and international clients on market-access issues and other WTO-related matters, including WTO accession issues. He has assisted WTO Members in WTO dispute settlement proceedings, extending from general anti-dumping and anti-subsidy issues to specific trade restrictive practices.
Richard represents clients in customs disputes both before national EU Member State administrative and judicial bodies and before the EU institutions. He also advises on sanctions.
Client, Chambers Global Guide 2026, International Trade/WTO“I believe Richard Luff is one of the most experienced trade lawyers in the market.
Representative matters
- Europacable (acting on behalf of the main EU producers of optical cables including Prysmian, Corning, Nexans, TKF, and Opticable) on EU anti-dumping, anti-subsidy and anti-absorption investigations on imports optical fibre cables from China, and on subsequent EU anti-dumping and anti-subsidy investigations on imports of optical cable from India.
- GreenEnergy in an anti-circumvention investigation concerning imports of biodiesel of Indonesian origin sold through, and/or processed in, the UK – the first EU investigation case ever to target specifically products imported from the UK to the EU.
- Exporting producers of biodiesel from Argentina (including Cargill, Bunge, Louis Dreyfuss, Glencore) in an EU anti-subsidy proceeding on imports of biodiesel from Argentina – the only remaining case where prices undertakings remain in force for over five years.
- Prysmian Cables & Systems Ltd in the first combined anti-dumping and anti-subsidy proceeding ever initiated by the UK – into imports of optical fibre cables from China.
- A leading renewable energy company in an extensive range of issues on export control and EU sanctions, relating particularly to the company’s investments in Russia as well as supplies to sanctioned countries.
- Steel producers in Egypt, China, Serbia and Japan and EU importers across the EU in various trade defence proceedings (anti-dumping, anti-subsidy and safeguard).
Pro bono
Assisting the firm’s pro bono practice.
Professional
- Admitted to Brussels Bar, October 1986
Academic
- London School of Economics, LL.M. in International Trade and Business Law, 1990
- University of Brussels (ULB), Master of European Community Law, 1989
- University of Brussels (ULB), Post-graduate Degree in Economic Law, 1987
- University of Brussels (ULB), Master of Laws, 1986
- Band 2, Chambers Global Guide 2206, International Trade/WTO,
- Leading Partner, Legal 500, Europe – Belgium, Customs, trade, WTO and anti-dumping, 2025
- Recommended, Trade & Customs, Lexology Index 2024
- “Richard Luff is very knowledgeable in customs law, explains matters very clearly, has very good contacts with the European Commission teams, and delivers excellent work.” Client, Legal 500, Europe – Belgium, Customs, trade, WTO and anti-dumping, 2025
- “I really like Richard Luff’s fast responses. He is practical and we are very satisfied with him.”“I believe Richard Luff is one of the most experienced trade lawyers in the market.”“Richard is a very clear, strategic thinker who can explain things very well. We are more than satisfied with the service and groups who work with us when he is advising us are very happy with him.”Clients, Chambers Global Guide 2026, International Trade/WTO
Frequently invited to speak before trade officials at the national administrations of EU and non-EU countries.
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