Clyde & Co has hired Minter Ellison construction partner Ian Cocking to take up a newly-created role as China construction head.

Cocking will join Clydes' Hong Kong office early next year from the local arm of Minters. He specialises in major construction projects including project documentation and commercial contracts, advice on contractual issues and dispute management and resolution.

Cocking takes the global number of lateral hires at Clydes to 26 so far this year. He will be the seventh partner in the firm's Hong Kong office.

Clydes Asia managing director Michael Parker said: "The development of a construction practice in Southeast Asia, reflecting its growth in our European and Middle East operations, was inevitable. The region is absolutely vibrant and it was a question of timing and finding the right people. Ian Cocking adds the gravitas and reputation we had been seeking in Hong Kong for some time."

The news follows Clydes' hire of Hill Dickinson partner William Tsang last month to its City office, with Tsang expected to relocate to the firm's Hong Kong arm early next year. Clydes currently has three offices in Asia: Shanghai, Singapore and Hong Kong.

Minters announced its plan to open in Beijing in August this year, taking the firm to three offices in Greater China.