Addleshaw Goddard is set to apply for a licence to practice in Beijing after making its debut in Hong Kong last August.

The UK firm, which in the last 18 months has prioritised international expansion, wants to open in the Chinese capital to support its offering in Hong Kong and tap the PRC market for outbound and disputes work.

"We are certainly looking at a small representative office in Beijing; it makes sense for us to be there," said Andrew Carpenter, the firm's international divisional managing partner.

"But we need to build the right team. We'll probably start with one partner – maybe a disputes partner. I would hope that we would be in a position to apply for a licence this year."

At the moment Addleshaws has two offices in Asia and three in the Middle East, which it opened with a view to growing its client base outside of the UK and servicing its existing clients overseas.

Singapore, which was its first international venture, opened in 2012 led by litigation partner Jamie Harrison, who joined Addleshaws as a partner from US law firm Winston & Strawn in 2009.

 The firm then opened in Dubai, Muscat and Doha, and in June entered into a formal alliance with its Japanese best friend Hashidate Law Office.

In the second half of the year it received approval to launch an associated office Hong Kong, which was branded Francis & Co with the arrival of former litigation and employment head for Minter Ellison, Nigel Francis.

It currently counts 24 lawyers in the city, including three partners, whose focus spans M&A, capital markets and disputes.

The firm would like to add further partners in Hong Kong, possibly including more litigation capacity.

In Singapore, the firm is mulling adding corporate capability, but is yet to make any hires.