Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer has appointed Nigel Rawding (pictured) as its new London arbitration chief, replacing Constantine Partasides who is leaving the magic circle firm to launch independent firm Three Crowns.

Partasides announced in February that he was setting up the arbitration boutique alongside fellow Freshfields alumni Paris-based disputes partner Georgios Petrochilos and former international arbitration head Jan Paulsson.

The firm's other founding partners are Luke Sobota, previously a partner in Jones Day's global disputes group, Gaetan Verhoosel, formerly co-chair of the Covington & Burling international arbitration practice, and former Shearman & Sterling partner Todd Wetmore.

In a move to rebuild Freshfileds' London arbitration group, disputes partner Reza Mohtashami, who is head of the firm's Dubai practice, is relocating to the City in June.

The addition of Mohtashami will take the total number of partners in the City practice to five, including head of global dispute resolution Christopher Pugh, head of construction arbitration Jane Jenkins, international arbitrator Sylvia Noury and Rawding.

Elizabeth Snodgrass was also appointed as counsel in January, while the practice is also thought to be looking to promote lawyers within its associate ranks.

Meanwhile, a consultation is still underway to find a new head of the London corporate practice after former chief Julian Long replaced Mark Rawlinson as London managing partner.

Freshfields co-head of London M&A Simon Marchant has been cited by partners in the firm as the leading candidate.

Three Crowns officially opened yesterday (7 April). Its six founding members are being joined by 20 associates, a number of which are understood to be joining from Freshfields, Jones Day, Covington & Burling and Shearman & Sterling.