No5 seals tie-up with City’s sole China firm

NO5 CHAMBERS has launched a groundbreaking exclusive alliance with the only Chinese law firm operating in London, Zhonglun W&D.

Birmingham-based No5 and Zhonglun commenced tie-up negotiations in March, a month after the Chinese firm opened its London office. The deal will see Zhonglun refer all its work exclusively to the 170-barrister set.

Practice director at No5 Tony McDaid said the alliance comes as a direct response to the increasing global significance of China and the rising levels of trade between the UK and China.

“In recent years we’ve seen law firms taking on the work of the bar and this direct alliance is one of our ways of bringing it back to the bar,” explained McDaid. “It’s a significant step for us as it means a direct link into the Asia market, without going through another firm.” Haibin Xue, the London managing partner at Zhonglun, said the union would allow the four-lawyer office to offer the same wide-ranging legal capabilities as its five China offices.

“No5 will provide us with the additional support we need as our London capabilities expand,” said Xue. “In China we’ll be looking to assist No5 through promotion. This makes the association a perfect combination.”

No5 will mainly be facilitating the new alliance through its London office, which was launched almost five years ago.

The set’s head of chancery and commercial Richard Jones QC and barrister Peter Collie will be heading the strategic alliance, which is due to commence at the beginning of August.