EXPERTISE & SERVICES
Expertise & Services
Expertise & Services
Florenton provides specialised legal, regulatory and compliance advice at the intersection of weapons, defence technology and international law.
Florenton provides specialised legal, regulatory and compliance advice at the intersection of weapons, defence technology and international law.
We advise companies, technology developers, manufacturers, investors, governments, public authorities and other organisations involved in the development, production, procurement, transfer and use of weapons and defence-related capabilities. Our role is to identify applicable legal requirements, assess regulatory and operational risks, and translate complex legal frameworks into clear and commercially workable guidance.
We advise companies, technology developers, manufacturers, investors, governments, public authorities and other organisations involved in the development, production, procurement, transfer and use of weapons and defence-related capabilities. Our role is to identify applicable legal requirements, assess regulatory and operational risks, and translate complex legal frameworks into clear and commercially workable guidance.
Our work is limited to legal, regulatory and compliance matters. We do not provide technical weapons design, engineering or tactical military advice.
Our work is limited to legal, regulatory and compliance matters. We do not provide technical weapons design, engineering or tactical military advice.
Weapons Law and Legal Reviews
Weapons Law and Legal Reviews
We advise on the legality of weapons, munitions and weapon systems under international humanitarian law and applicable weapons treaties. Our services include legal assessments of new and existing capabilities, support with Article 36 weapons reviews, independent second opinions, and the review of intended uses, foreseeable effects and operational limitations. Our expertise covers both conventional weapons and more complex capabilities, including autonomous and AI-enabled systems.
We advise on the legality of weapons, munitions and weapon systems under international humanitarian law and applicable weapons treaties. Our services include legal assessments of new and existing capabilities, support with Article 36 weapons reviews, independent second opinions, and the review of intended uses, foreseeable effects and operational limitations. Our expertise covers both conventional weapons and more complex capabilities, including autonomous and AI-enabled systems.
Autonomous Systems, AI and Decision-Support Systems
Autonomous Systems, AI and Decision-Support Systems
Autonomous and AI-enabled defence capabilities raise distinct legal questions concerning predictability, human control, targeting, accountability and compliance with international humanitarian law. We assist clients in identifying and addressing these issues throughout the development, procurement and deployment process. This may include reviewing system functions, human-machine interaction, intended operational use, documentation and legal-review requirements. Our advice focuses on the legal and regulatory implications of the technology rather than its technical design.
Autonomous and AI-enabled defence capabilities raise distinct legal questions concerning predictability, human control, targeting, accountability and compliance with international humanitarian law. We assist clients in identifying and addressing these issues throughout the development, procurement and deployment process. This may include reviewing system functions, human-machine interaction, intended operational use, documentation and legal-review requirements. Our advice focuses on the legal and regulatory implications of the technology rather than its technical design.
Arms Trade, Export Controls and Sanctions
Arms Trade, Export Controls and Sanctions
We advise on the national, European and international rules governing the transfer of weapons, defence technology and dual-use items. Our services include export-control and licensing assessments; military and dual-use classification; sanctions and embargo compliance; technology and data-transfer restrictions; end-use and end-user requirements; brokering, transit and cross-border transfer issues; and contractual export-control provisions. Advice may relate to an individual transaction, a new market or a broader compliance framework.
We advise on the national, European and international rules governing the transfer of weapons, defence technology and dual-use items. Our services include export-control and licensing assessments; military and dual-use classification; sanctions and embargo compliance; technology and data-transfer restrictions; end-use and end-user requirements; brokering, transit and cross-border transfer issues; and contractual export-control provisions. Advice may relate to an individual transaction, a new market or a broader compliance framework.
End-Use, Diversion and Compliance Due Diligence
End-Use, Diversion and Compliance Due Diligence
The legal and reputational risks associated with a defence transaction do not end when a product is delivered. We support clients in assessing customers, intermediaries, end users, destination countries and foreseeable uses. This includes end-use and diversion-risk assessments, conflict and country-risk analysis, international humanitarian law and human-rights due diligence, and the development of appropriate contractual or procedural safeguards. We also conduct legal and regulatory due diligence in connection with investments, acquisitions, commercial partnerships and defence-sector transactions.
The legal and reputational risks associated with a defence transaction do not end when a product is delivered. We support clients in assessing customers, intermediaries, end users, destination countries and foreseeable uses. This includes end-use and diversion-risk assessments, conflict and country-risk analysis, international humanitarian law and human-rights due diligence, and the development of appropriate contractual or procedural safeguards. We also conduct legal and regulatory due diligence in connection with investments, acquisitions, commercial partnerships and defence-sector transactions.
Operational Use and Deployment
Operational Use and Deployment
The legality of a weapon or defence capability may depend not only on its characteristics, but also on the manner and context in which it is used. We advise on legal questions concerning deployment, targeting, operational policies, rules of engagement and the application of international humanitarian law. This may include questions relating to distinction, proportionality, precautions in attack and restrictions on particular means and methods of warfare. Our role is to provide legal analysis and compliance guidance. We do not advise on tactical planning or the conduct of military operations.
The legality of a weapon or defence capability may depend not only on its characteristics, but also on the manner and context in which it is used. We advise on legal questions concerning deployment, targeting, operational policies, rules of engagement and the application of international humanitarian law. This may include questions relating to distinction, proportionality, precautions in attack and restrictions on particular means and methods of warfare. Our role is to provide legal analysis and compliance guidance. We do not advise on tactical planning or the conduct of military operations.
Conventional, Chemical, Biological and Nuclear Weapons
Conventional, Chemical, Biological and Nuclear Weapons
Our expertise is not limited to emerging technologies or advanced weapon systems. We advise on legal and regulatory questions concerning conventional weapons and munitions, as well as the specialised legal regimes governing chemical, biological and nuclear weapons and related materials. Advice may concern international humanitarian law; weapons treaties and prohibitions; arms-control and non-proliferation obligations; export controls and sanctions; national implementation legislation; restrictions on development, production, possession, transfer or use; and regulatory requirements relating to relevant materials, components and technologies. The precise scope of our advice depends on the applicable jurisdiction, legal framework and nature of the activity concerned.
Our expertise is not limited to emerging technologies or advanced weapon systems. We advise on legal and regulatory questions concerning conventional weapons and munitions, as well as the specialised legal regimes governing chemical, biological and nuclear weapons and related materials. Advice may concern international humanitarian law; weapons treaties and prohibitions; arms-control and non-proliferation obligations; export controls and sanctions; national implementation legislation; restrictions on development, production, possession, transfer or use; and regulatory requirements relating to relevant materials, components and technologies. The precise scope of our advice depends on the applicable jurisdiction, legal framework and nature of the activity concerned.
Defence Technology and Dual-Use Items
Defence Technology and Dual-Use Items
Many defence capabilities depend on software, sensors, electronics, communications systems, technical data and components that may not themselves constitute weapons. We advise on the legal classification, transfer and use of defence technology and dual-use items, including software and intangible technology transfers. This is particularly relevant to technology companies entering the defence market and defence companies integrating civilian technologies into military products.
Many defence capabilities depend on software, sensors, electronics, communications systems, technical data and components that may not themselves constitute weapons. We advise on the legal classification, transfer and use of defence technology and dual-use items, including software and intangible technology transfers. This is particularly relevant to technology companies entering the defence market and defence companies integrating civilian technologies into military products.
Compliance Frameworks and Internal Policies
Compliance Frameworks and Internal Policies
Florenton assists organisations in developing proportionate and practical compliance structures for defence-related activities. Our services may include compliance-gap assessments; internal policies and procedures; transaction and customer-screening processes; approval and escalation mechanisms; export-control procedures; end-use and customer due diligence; documentation and record-keeping requirements; and tailored legal training and briefings. Clients may engage us for a complete compliance project or for a clearly defined element of a broader programme.
Florenton assists organisations in developing proportionate and practical compliance structures for defence-related activities. Our services may include compliance-gap assessments; internal policies and procedures; transaction and customer-screening processes; approval and escalation mechanisms; export-control procedures; end-use and customer due diligence; documentation and record-keeping requirements; and tailored legal training and briefings. Clients may engage us for a complete compliance project or for a clearly defined element of a broader programme.
Flexible and Independent Support
Flexible and Independent Support
Our services can be provided individually or as part of an integrated legal and compliance project. Florenton can assist with a specific legal assessment, an export transaction, a regulatory question, a compliance policy, legal due diligence or an independent second opinion. Our advice is independent, confidential and tailored to the legal, commercial and operational context of each engagement.
Our services can be provided individually or as part of an integrated legal and compliance project. Florenton can assist with a specific legal assessment, an export transaction, a regulatory question, a compliance policy, legal due diligence or an independent second opinion. Our advice is independent, confidential and tailored to the legal, commercial and operational context of each engagement.