Appleby has become the first offshore law firm licensed to provide offshore legal advice in Mainland China where it has had a Shanghai base since 2012.
The formal announcement of a legal practice certificate opens up the opportunity in China for Appleby significantly.
Michael Cushing, Appleby’s Jersey Office Managing Partner, said: “This development will significantly enhance our ability to offer integrated services between Jersey and the Chinese and Asian markets. Jersey is a key finance centre with the skills and resources to administer and invest international capital at a competitive cost. Growth markets such as China provide new sources of business for Jersey and are at the heart of Appleby’s business development here in Jersey and elsewhere across our Group.”
Partner Malcolm Moller will lead the development of Appleby’s offering in China, supported in Shanghai by Associate Kate Li and Scott Reid, as well as the firm’s Greater China team which includes over 15 Partners and fee-earners based in Hong Kong.
Appleby Chairman, Frances Woo, added: “Being awarded a licence to offer clients based in China offshore legal advice from our Shanghai office is a key milestone in our strategic plan. China is of course a thriving market and one that we understand deeply since we have been advising clients on their Chinese inbound and outbound transactions from Hong Kong for almost 25 years. Being able to practise from within China will catapult our strategy for Asia and China forward, and we are very excited about this prospect.”