Two Linklaters competition partners have left the firm's Stockholm and Hong Kong offices to set up their own boutique in Sweden.

The new boutique, launched by Stockholm partner Kent Karlsson and Hong Kong partner Erik Soederlind, went live yesterday (1 November) under the name Kastell.

Both partners joined Linklaters' Swedish competition practice in 2001 through its merger with local firm Lagerloef & Leman. Soederlind later relocated to the firm's Hong Kong office in 2008 to become head of competition and antitrust in Asia – a position he held at the time of his departure.