China's Dacheng Law Offices has secured an exclusive relationship with Dubai's Hussain Lootah & Associates (HL&A), in what is thought to be the first tie-up between a Middle Eastern law firm and a Chinese outfit.

The Beijing giant has signed an agreement with HL&A in an effort to boost its presence in the Arabian Gulf. Under the terms of the deal, the two firms will refer work and share expertise on the local business challenges in their respective markets.

The firms plan to relocate lawyers to each other's offices, helping them to advise Arab and Chinese clients in Asia and the Gulf respectively.

Dacheng is currently the biggest legal outfit in China by number of lawyers. It has 36 offices across China, as well as international branches in Chicago, Los Angeles and New York, Paris, Singapore, Hong Kong and Taipei.

Meanwhile, HL&A is one of the largest local law firms in Dubai, with core practice areas including capital markets, M&A, banking and finance, real estate, employment and dispute resolution.

"HL&A have a lot of experience in Dubai – it is a very well-known firm," said Shi Wanlin, senior partner in Beijing and director of Dacheng in France.

"This is a good opportunity for both firms because there are many Chinese clients of Dacheng who are coming to Dubai to invest and a lot of people from UAE coming to China. We are in the process of choosing the lawyers to send over."

HL&A is headquartered in Dubai, and also has relationships with local firms in Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait, Yemen, Lebanon and Bahrain.

Ahmad Lootah, vice chairman of HL&A, said: "Dacheng is one of the biggest law firms in China, so it will be a big support for us when attracting Chinese companies," said Ahmad Lootah, vice chairman of HL&A.

"The first step is referrals. The plan to exchange our expertise [lawyers] will be executed soon hopefully. We haven't decided [on the number], it will depend on the demand. As well as the UAE we will also be able to guide them [Dacheng] in the other GCC countries."