Clyde & Co has opened an office in Qatar after the hire of a consultant from City rival Simmons & Simmons.

David Salt rejoins Clyde & Co, where he was previously a partner, to head up the new office, which is set to open later this month. He has advised on corporate and banking matters for the Qatari Government and has also acted for several public and private companies in the region. He recently advised Qatar-incorporated Mannai Corporation on the first Qatari debt for equity swap.

The office becomes Clyde & Co's third outpost in the region, joining offices in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Dubai-based corporate commercial associate Nazwan Zain Al-Addin has been transferred to the new operation for a minimum period of six months, with further hires likely to follow.

Clyde & Co joins just a handful of firms to operate an office in Qatar, joining Simmons, which set up in the country in 2003, national giant Eversheds and Washington DC firm Patton Boggs.

Trowers & Hamlins has previously maintained a relationship with local outfit Hassan A Alkhater Law Office, while City giant Clifford Chance has an informal arrangement with Ahmed Abdel Latif Al-Mohannadi.