Ernst & Young in Singapore has hired former Herbert Smith Freehills partner John Dick as it looks to launch a legal services arm in the city.

The 'big four' accounting firm currently has a global legal services offering specialising in areas such as corporate, banking and finance, real estate, employment and projects, but as yet does not offer law advice in Singapore.

In order to offer legal services, the firm will need to apply for a licence in the same way that other law firms do.

Dick, who was previously a Herbert Smith Freehills' Singapore partner, specialises in South East Asian corporate energy and resources work, has joined the firm this month as a partner in its Singapore office, but is currently not practising law.

Having worked in South East Asia since 1989, he was previously the head of Freehills' office in the city-state, and also actively involved in launching the legacy Australian firm's presence in Vietnam.

He was the second partner to leave Herbert Smith Freehills' regional base since September following the departure of legacy Freehills energy partner Geoffrey Grice, who took a consultant role at Duane Morris & Selvam.

The firm has also seen a string of exits at both partner and associate level since the merger of the two legacy firms Herbert Smith and Freehills, reportedly due to a mix of reasons.

EY was not immediately available for comment.