Clydes signs alliance with Mongolia's Khan Lex Advocates

Clydes has been gradually building up a client base in mineral-rich Mongolia and Mongolian-qualified lawyer Khandsuren Khuu has been working out of the firm’s London office since June 2008. The firm also provides the secretariat to the Mongolian-British Chamber of Commerce.

Commenting on the move, Clydes international trade partner Stephen Tricks, who has been the key driving force behind the firm’s work in Mongolia, said: “With the benefit of having Khandsuren Khuu, a Mongolian-qualified lawyer based in our London office, Clyde & Co has been steadily increasing the range of advice we provide to Mongolian clients and to other clients looking to do business in Mongolia.”

“This association with Khan Lex Advocates provides us with the opportunity to develop our Mongolian practice yet further. We can now link our clients to a law firm that is not only first rate in terms of its ethos and quality but also has a unique experience of the legislative codes and considerable insight into the government of the country.”

Launched in 2011, Khan Lex Advocates is based in Ulaanbaatar and focuses on financial services, transportation, mining, energy, infrastructure and international trade. It also regularly assists the Mongolian government with drafting legislation.

Khan Lex Advocates managing partner B.Enkhbat said: “This association with Clyde & Co enables us to work with an international law firm that has a long track record of assisting its clients in emerging markets and particularly in the areas of mining, energy, financial services, infrastructure and international trade. Clyde & Co’s focus on Mongolia, its pedigree in emerging markets, knowledge of how to operate effectively with local law firms and collaborative and expansionist culture all contributed to our desire to work with Clyde & Co through this agreement.”

The announcement follows the news last month that Australian firm Minter Ellison is to open an office in Mongolia in a bid to capitalise on the country’s emerging resource-based economy (1 February 2012). In November 2011, fellow Australian firm Allens Arthur Robinson opened a representative office in Ulaanbaatar (10 November 2011). DLA Piper (24 March 2011) and Hogan Lovells (3 August 2010) have also established presences in Mongolia in recent years.