Pinsent Masons has secured its first foothold in Singapore, Legal Week has learned, with the national giant this month unveiling a new association with independent local practice MPillay.

The move, which follows several months of discussions, sees the UK national firm join forces with respected local practitioner Mohan Pillay as part of a drive to increase its presence in the Asia-Pacific region.

The association will operate as 'Pinsent Masons in association with MPillay' and will focus initially on projects, international construction and engineer-
ing work.

The tie-up formally goes live on 31 October, when Pinsents is due to host the inaugural annual Construction & Engineering Law Conference in Singapore.

Local Bar rules currently restrict foreign firms from practising in Singapore. Law firms are able to set up joint ventures with domestic practices but many international firms choose to form associations as they are subject to less stringent regulation.

Dual Singapore and UK-qualified Pillay, a construction and arbitration lawyer, has previously worked at major local firms including The Wong Partnership and Drew & Napier.

He has also acted for several months as an unofficial consultant to Pinsents and set up eponymous practice MPillay to allow the UK law firm access to the Singaporean courts and local advice.

Announcing the move to Pinsents' staff in a statement, international operations partner Tony Bunch said: "Increasing our strength in the Asia-Pacific region and diversifying our practice there is one of our key strategic aims. We believe these developments in Singapore will deliver significant benefits and opportunities as part of our ambition to become a law firm of truly international reach by 2020."

Of Pinsents' main national rivals, only DLA Piper has an office in Singapore.

The tie-up comes as Pinsents outlines plans for continued investment in its Asia-Pacific network, which now includes 12 partners and offices in Hong Kong, Beijing and Shanghai.

The UK firm also pulled the plug this summer on its four-year joint venture with US ally Thelen Reid Brown Raysman & Steinwer as part of a sweeping review of its links with around 30 US firms.