Amidst the turmoil of 31 international firms being sued for practising illegally in India, Clifford Chance joined the growing ranks of firms making India-relevant hires in Singapore as it appointed Geraint Hughes, 43, as head of its India practice. As India is a closed market for foreign law firms, Hughes will remain based in the Singapore office - where he was already managing partner - while his predecessor, Chris Wyman, 55, has prepared for his retirement from the offices of AZB & Partners, Clifford Chance’s sister firm in India. Wyman had spent 16 months there on secondment during the lead-up to his retirement.

The second half of 2010 has seen other big international firms, including Ashurst and White & Case, make India-relevant hires in Singapore. White & Case also has an India practice head located in Singapore, William Kirschner, who runs the Asia M&A and private equity practices, both areas which are experiencing increased activity in India, according to reports from recruitment firms. “Firms are really looking at how they can better service their clients in these areas,” said Ash Raivadera, consultant with ATR Associates based in Singapore.

Stuart Popham, senior partner, Clifford Chance, told media in July that he believes the High Court in Chennai will remove the ban on foreign law firms practicing in India in 2012. It is unclear whether Clifford Chance will keep its tie-up with AZB & Partners, which was formally established in 2009 in the lead-up to the expected removal of the ban.

A sample of international firms with India practices that work out of Singapore (occasionally Hong Kong). The list is not exhaustive.