Watson Farley & Williams has launched a local law practice in Singapore via a joint venture with regional firm Asia Practice.

The Singapore firm, a five-partner practice specialising in banking, corporate and litigation law, was set up in November last year by banking partner Leon Low from local outfit Shook Lin & Bok.

The joint venture, which went live this month, hands Watson Farley access to a total of 44 fee earners in the region, including 12 partners.

Watson Farley managing partner Michael Greville said: "This joint law venture gives us access to the local Singapore market from which we are excluded as an offshore firm.

"Although it is a competitive market, it is a logical development for our practice which embeds us more deeply in the region, allows us to offer a broader range of services to Singapore-based clients, and at the same time provides opportunities for Singapore lawyers who want to work in an international platform without losing their home market."

The UK firm first opened its Singapore office in 1998 in response to a demand from finance clients and has since expanded to offer services in corporate, finance and dispute resolution.

The news comes after Taylor Wessing earlier this summer confirmed that it had secured a Singapore tie-up with newly-formed local firm RHT Law. The formal cooperation deal came around three months after RHT, which has a total of 53 fee earners, launched on 28 May.

Local Bar rules mean most international firms seeking to open in Singapore can only practice local law through a cooperation agreement with a local law firm.