International law firm Holman Fenwick Willan has today announced a formal law alliance (FLA) between its Singapore office, Holman Fenwick Willan Singapore LLP, and Singapore law firm AsiaLegal LLC. The alliance, which has received approval from the Singapore Attorney General’s Chambers will be effective from 1 July 2015 and will operate under the name HFW AsiaLegal.
The formation of this alliance is a significant new strategic development for HFW, enabling the firm to undertake work through the alliance which requires expertise in both English law and permitted areas of Singapore law. Many of the developments in the firm’s capabilities in Singapore are as a direct result of the evolving business environment within Singapore itself and, as such, the firm has been able to extend its capabilities now encompassing dispute resolution, transactions and regulatory expertise, in line with client needs.
HFW has had offices in Asia-Pacific for more than 30 years and opened its Singapore office in 1990. Since then, the firm has extensively grown the legal capabilities it can offer clients from Singapore, and has developed particular strengths in the aviation, marine, offshore and mining sectors. In 2014, HFW’s Senior Partner, Richard Crump, relocated from London to Singapore, emphasising the importance of both the Singapore market and the broader Asia-Pacific region to the continued growth of the firm’s business.
AsiaLegal LLC was incorporated in Singapore in November 2002. The four founding Directors of AsiaLegal have extensive experience in arbitration and litigation, shipping and offshore work in Singapore, with several notable cases reported by the High Court and Court of Appeal.
Richard Crump, HFW’s Senior Partner, commented: “We are delighted that we have received approval to form this new alliance with AsiaLegal, whom we have known and worked with for a number of years. The business landscape in Singapore has changed significantly over recent years and this strategic development enables us to improve our service to clients.”
Mert Hifzi, Managing Partner of HFW’s Singapore office said: “These are exciting times for HFW in Singapore – over the last few years we have grown significantly and, recognising the opportunities presented by Singapore and the wider Asia-Pacific region, this alliance demonstrates our commitment to continuing our growth here.”
Timothy Tan and P. Jeya Putra, Senior Directors of AsiaLegal said: “It is hoped that with the FLA and the shared synergies between HFW and AsiaLegal, we will be able to provide our clients with a more effective, comprehensive and international platform to meet their increasingly complex and multi-jurisdictional legal needs. In particular, the FLA will endeavour to promote Singapore as a legal hub for international dispute resolution, including arbitration under the auspices of SIAC and SCMA.”
