Halliwells has launched a finance litigation department in London with the hire of Simmons & Simmons lawyer Richard Clayton.

The new division, dubbed the financial litigation and recovery practice, will focus on dispute and contentious regulatory work across the retail, corporate, investment banking and asset management sectors.

As part of the launch, the Manchester-based firm has this month hired Simmons financial litigation associate Clayton.

He joins the top 40 UK firm as an associate and will work alongside corporate recovery partner David Pacey, who has been handed a brief to head up the new national unit.

Pacey told Legal Week: "This is all about building on resources that are already here. We have the right technical skills but will be more cost effective, and that is where we see ourselves in the market."

The move is part of a sustained push by Halliwells to beef up its new City finance practice in a bid to win more places on the major retail banking panels.

Last month, Halliwells recruited Nabarro Nathanson London banking partner Kim McMurray to spearhead the fledgling department, while further hires are expected during the next 18 months.