We are pleased to announce that Ogier are to offer Guernsey and Jersey services in Asia. In May, Guernsey and Jersey lawyers will be relocating to the firm's Hong Kong office, where the firm has an established BVI and Cayman legal practice. This latest move comes in response to increased client demand for Guernsey and Jersey legal and fiduciary services in the Asian time zone. This is yet another first for Ogier as it will be the first time that Guernsey and Jersey lawyers will operate in this region.

Marcus Leese, a partner based in the Ogier Guernsey office, will head up the new Guernsey and Jersey practice in Hong Kong. Marcus is an advocate of the Royal Court of Guernsey, where he has been practising Guernsey law for the past 11 years and is recognised in various legal directories for his legal expertise. For more on Marcus click here.

Marcus joins partners Duncan Smith (Managing Partner of the Hong Kong office), Timothy Bridges and Nicholas Plowman.

Lawyers from the Ogier Jersey office will also transfer to Hong Kong to set up the joint Guernsey and Jersey practice, a move which complements the recent relocation to Hong Kong of Jersey associate director, Maria McDermott, who heads up Ogier Fiduciary Services in Hong Kong.

The firm will offer a range of Guernsey and Jersey legal and fiduciary services in the Asian time zone, including investment funds, corporate and commercial advice (including listings), banking and finance, as well as trust and private client services through Ogier Private Wealth. This will complement the BVI and Cayman services which Ogier already offer from their Hong Kong office, which was established in 2006.

The growing strength and importance of emerging economies, notably in Asia and in particular China, is one of the drivers behind this latest development. A considerable amount of planning and research has gone into this move and, having canvassed a number of clients and intermediaries in the region, significant interest in providing Guernsey and Jersey legal services from Asia was evident. We already advise a number of Asian-based clients from the Channel Islands who have responded very positively and welcome this initiative.

The firm also acted as Jersey legal adviser to Jersey incorporated United Company RUSAL Limited, the world's largest aluminium and alumina producer, which was the first ever listing of a Jersey company on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange.

For further information please contact either Nick Kershaw, Marcus Leese or Duncan Smith.