Berwin Leighton Paisner (BLP) has relocated two City partners to its new venture in Hong Kong, with the firm also planning to add local law capability to the office.

Corporate partner David Robins moved to Hong Kong last month, with real estate partner Victoria Gardner set to join him in October.

The firm is also planning to add one or more local lawyers to launch a separate associated firm that will enable it to offer clients Hong Kong law advice.

The base will focus on real estate and built environment work, as well as infrastructure and natural resources, aviation and asset finance.

BLP announced plans to open in Hong Kong in June this year, with the base – which formally opened on 1 August – becoming the City firm's second office in Asia alongside Singapore.

A spokesperson for BLP said: "We are building our capability having established a registered foreign law firm in Hong Kong. The new office will give BLP a presence in the Greater China region to support the increasing levels of work for Chinese clients. The team will be multi-disciplinary with a focus on a number of sector strengths."