Clyde & Co has opened a new one-partner office in Dublin, in a bid to hedge against possible fallout once the U.K. leaves the EU.

The firm announced in a statement that the office launch is intended "to ensure its Irish law insurance practice can continue to operate seamlessly as the U.K. leaves the EU".

The office will be headed up by England- and Ireland-qualified insurance and reinsurance partner Garrett Moore as the office's sole partner, but will have the support of the London insurance team comprising legal director Maire Ni Aodha and litigation manager Brendan Myers as well as a small team of associates.

"We have been offering our insurance and commercial clients advice concerning matters relating to Irish law for a number of years and we want to ensure this continues whatever the outcomes of Brexit," Moore said. "The office and a formal Dublin presence will allow us to do that."

The move follows an emerging trend that has seen London firms start to insulate themselves against possible unknown consequences of Brexit.

Since the 2016 referendum, a host of firms have made inroads to increase their Irish-qualified cohort, while Dublin has seen an influx of London-led firms, including Pinsent Masons, Covington & Burling, Simmons & Simmons, Fieldfisher and DLA Piper.

Eversheds Sutherland leads the Magic Circle as the firm with the most Ireland-qualified lawyers – 132 at the last count.