Halliwells launches China team with AIM mandate

Halliwells has begun its assault on China by setting up a team dedicated to the Far East and has scooped a lead role advising on a Chinese AIM listing.

Halliwells' Far East team will operate from its Manchester and London offices and will focus on work from China, Hong Kong and Singapore. The team is led by head of corporate Alec Craig and includes Chinese-qualified lawyer Chong Cao.

Craig told The Lawyer: "China is a market you have to look at. As business in China gets more and more sophisticated, Chinese companies are increasingly looking to London. We have lawyers out in China almost all the time."

The firm recently bagged a role advising Chinese cement manufacturer West China Cement on its £66.8m AIM listing.

"The instruction was the result of Cao's connections in China," said Craig. "Cao is very good at breaking barriers and he understands the Chinese legal process." In a bid to strengthen existing client contacts and to inform local government officials and professional advisers of the benefits of listing on AIM, the firm has made various trips to China within the last 12 months.

"We currently have best friend relationships with several Chinese law firms," said Craig. "We may enter into formal agreements in the future."