Gide Loyrette Nouel has transferred rising project finance partner Rupert Reece and two other UK-qualified barristers to its arbitration department as the French giant moves to bolster its international practice.

Reece, who was called to the Bar in 1992 and is currently a door tenant at UK barristers' chambers 2 Temple Gardens, moved to the arbitration practice this month after a number of years working in Gide's projects team.

He joined Gide in 1995, making partner in 2001, and has advised on various project finance deals including representing a consortium pitching for the building and running of Beijing's 2008 Olympic stadium.

In addition, Nicolas Tse, who was called to the Bar in 1995 and is a door tenant at 39 Essex Street, and Zannis Mavrogordato, a barrister who joined last year from Simmons & Simmons, have also transferred to the team.

Gide said the shake-up was designed to bolster the Paris firm's profile in the competitive international arbitration market.

The move gives the firm its first dedicated English-qualified arbitration capacity, with the firm looking to expand its market-leading domestic practice.

Reece told Legal Week: "We have been perceived as a French outfit and when clients have a big international arbitration case, they do not automatically think of Gide. This will show we are credible and show that we have the English law arbitration skills too."

The move reflects the increasing challenge for French arbitration practices from firms such as Shearman & Sterling and Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer for cross-border disputes.

One rival partner added: "It is a good move for Gide to have English barristers doing full-time arbitration. They have a great practice there but sometimes they are seen to be a bit behind the US and UK firms in the market."