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International Edition

Get in on the ground floor – taking advantage of the foreign investment pouring into London's property market

The recent deal struck by a Chinese property developer to redevelop the Royal Albert Docks is just the latest in a line of headline-grabbing, big-ticket property partnerships involving foreign investors in the London real estate market. It is also a clear signal that investors are starting to look beyond the steady income stream offered by 'safe' investments and take on the added risk of development projects. Several market surveys indicate that upwards of 75% by value of the acquisitions in the central London market during the past few years have come from overseas investors. This influx of foreign investment has helped the London real estate market to grow despite the recent financial downturn. It has also presented a new opportunity to law firm's real estate teams as they compete for a share of this lucrative business.
7 minute read

International Edition

Minters eyes Singapore launch as Aussie firm sees revenues dip 1%

Minter Ellison – one of the two remaining independent law firms among Australia's 'big six' – has set its sights on revenue growth from its Asian offices as it reveals a 1% dip in revenue to A$416m (£252m). The Sydney-based firm is also considering opening an office in Singapore as part of a strategy to boost its international work in response to a sharp slowdown in domestic M&A activity. Minter Ellison currently has overseas offices in Hong Kong, Beijing and Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, and says around 25% of its revenue is generated by offshore work.
3 minute read

International Edition

Vinson Shanghai energy partner joins Sidley after office closure announcement

Sidley Austin has ramped up its Singapore energy practice with the hire of M&A partner Tju Liang from Vinson & Elkins in Shanghai. The hire comes just days after Vinson announced plans to close the Shanghai base later this year.
2 minute read

International Edition

A&O leads as McDonald's moves into Vietnam

Allen & Overy (A&O) has taken a lead role as fast food giant McDonald's unveils plans to expand its Asia presence with a move into the Vietnam market. McDonald's, which operates in more than 100 countries around the world, announced today (16 July) it plans to open its first outlet in the Southeast Asian country in early 2014.
2 minute read

International Edition

Vinson & Elkins to shut Shanghai office

Vinson & Elkins (V&E) is to shut its Shanghai office later this year in a move to consolidate its China offering. The Texas firm is yet to announce a date on which the base will close, but said it wants to turn its attention to offices in Hong Kong and Beijing as the main hotspots for energy dealflow.
2 minute read

International Edition

Bakers and HSF among advisers as Asia energy giants invest in Australian wind farms

Herbert Smith Freehills (HSF) and Baker & McKenzie are among a number of firms to have advised on the acquisitions of two Australian wind farms by Southeast Asian energy giants. The first deal saw Malakoff, Malaysia's largest power producer, take a 50% stake in the A$650m (£387m) Macarthur Wind Farm from New Zealand's Meridian Energy. The 450MW wind farm in Victoria is the largest in the southern hemisphere and is operated by Australian gas and electricity company AGL Energy, which owns the remaining share.
2 minute read

International Edition

Singapore leader Rajah & Tann seals alliance with triple merger of Malaysia firms

Rajah & Tann has made its formal debut into Malaysia this month after signing a strategic alliance with local Malaysian outfit Christopher & Lee Ong. The Singapore firm, which also did tie up with Indonesian firm Assegaf Hamzah & Partners in May, is among a number of outfits from the city-state looking to grow its footprint in South East Asia and tap the steady flow of deals from the region.
2 minute read

International Edition

Gibson Dunn recruits Hogan Lovells energy partner in first hire since QFLP award

Gibson Dunn & Crutcher has hired Hogan Lovells' energy head for South East Asia Brad Roach in its first move to bolster the number of partners in the region since receiving a Qualifying Foreign Law Practice (QFLP) licence in February. The Los Angeles head-quartered firm, which previously said it would look to supplement its existing M&A, energy and infrastructure practices in Singapore, as well as adding arbitration to its offering, now counts four partners in the island city-state in addition to 12 legal staff.
3 minute read

International Edition

Linklaters boosts India practice with return of partner from referral firm

Linklaters has boosted its India practice, re-hiring a partner from its Mumbai referral firm Talwar Thakore & Associates (TT&A). Narayan Iyer - who will return to Linklaters in August as a partner - first joined the firm as a trainee in 1996. He helped to set up Linklaters India practice, and was elected a partner in 2007. Iyer left Linklaters to join the TT&A partnership in 2009, where he has been developing the firm's finance practice.
2 minute read

International Edition

Field Fisher secures Asia presence with Shanghai tie-up

Field Fisher Waterhouse (FFW) has made its debut into Asia through a tie up with Shanghai outfit Ryer & Associates. The City firm, which is eyeing corporate and IP work in China, has set up a Swiss Verein with the three-partner firm, which goes live today and will operate as Field Fisher Ryser (FFR).
3 minute read

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