Offshore firm forges stronger Asian links

Jersey-based practice Ogier is continuing its eastward expansion by becoming the first offshore law firm to open an office in mainland China, it claims. 

China’s growing demand for on the ground advice regarding British Virgin Islands, Cayman, Guernsey and Jersey law sparked an opening in Shanghai this week, said Ogier head Nick Kershaw. The office will offer clients a range of services including counsel on M&A transactions, fund formation and initial public offerings.

“Although we could work with our Chinese clients from our Hong Kong office, we felt it important to have an operation in the country offering a more personalised service in Mandarin/Shanhainese,” he added.

The group’s Shanghai arm will be spearheaded by Kristy Calvert, previously a legal director for mining giant Rio Tinto’s Asia operations. Increasing business opportunities could lead the Shanghai team to expand said Kershaw, who noted the group’s Hong Kong office was the fastest growing. The firm has planted flags in Dublin, London, Bahrain and Tokyo in recent years. 

The new office underscores the Channel Islands growing relationship with Asia’s funds industry. Earlier this year Jersey Finance, a non-profit organisation promoting Jersey as an international financial hub, launched offices in Mumbai and Abu Dhabi. The move represents “a natural extension of Jersey’s growing links with these regions, will complement our existing representative office in Hong Kong, and are a reflection of our commitment to growing our finance industry’s presence in international markets in the coming years”, said Jersey Finance’s chief executive Geoff Cook at the time.