Experienced shipping specialist Charles Allen has left Clifford Chance to join the office of rival firm Simmons & Simmons in Hong Kong. Allen, who leaves Clifford Chance as an assistant after 16 years with the firm, has practised in most areas of contentious shipping, marine insurance and international trade.

He leaves Clifford Chance's Hong Kong office after two years there, but has also worked in China, the UK, Greece, Pakistan, India and Singapore. Quentin Bargate, head of Simmons' international shipping group, said: “Charles' experience will be invaluable to us in further strengthening the firm's shipping expertise worldwide.”