Herbert Smith and Baker & McKenzie have been appointed to advise on the joint venture (JV) between Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) and China's Chery Automobile as the British car giant looks to expand its presence in Asia.

Herbert Smith, which is acting for JLR, has a longstanding relationship with the car manufacturer's Indian parent company, Tata Motors. The top 10 UK firm previously advised Tata on its acquisition of JLR from Ford in 2008.

Bakers is advising Chery on the JV, which will see the two companies set up a joint research and development facility in the region. The manufacturers will also create and manufacture new models together using joint branding.

The agreement, which was announced last week, will enhance JLR's presence in China, its third largest market worldwide after the UK and North America.

The move comes after JLR last June issued its first high-yield bond since it was taken over by Tata, in a deal valued at £1bn.

The company – which appointed Hogan Lovells and Shearman & Sterling as joint counsel on UK and US aspects, respectively – said at the time that it would use the proceeds of the bond sale to refinance debt and help develop new vehicles and technologies. Sullivan & Cromwell advised the underwriters of the bond.

JLR, the largest manufacturer of premium vehicles in the UK, has more than 21,000 employees around the world and sells vehicles in more than 170 countries. Chery is one of China's largest car exporters, going to markets in more than 60 countries around the world.