Link-up with Singapore firm boosts Sinclair Roche in Asia>

In a move aimed at boosting its Asian practice, Sinclair Roche & Temperley has linked up with Singapore firm Colin Ng & Partners.

The firm's first international alliance will operate alongside Sinclair Roche's existing Singapore office, which has 10 English-qualified lawyers. It will also give the firm access to Singapore law capability. Under current Singapore professional rules, foreign firms cannot advise on Singapore law.

Managing partner Jeff Morgan said: 'The alliance will give us new capability as well as the possibility of pooling resources. For clients, it is hoped that, by offering services in-house, they will get greater strength and depth in the market'.

Colin Ng, senior partner of the Singapore firm, added: 'It is an alliance of two cultures, combining the strengths not only of the two firms but also the cultures they represent.'

A key benefit is that it expands the two firms' Asian network. Colin Ng & Partners has offices in Shanghai and Jakarta while Sinclair Roche is represented in Hong Kong and Shanghai. Morgan said that the firms were looking to combine their Shanghai offices.

The link-up is in anticipation of the liberalisation of the Singapore legal market which is expected to take place some time this year. Morgan predicts the government will encourage similar alliances between Singapore practices and foreign firms.