Offshore law firm Collas Crill has announced plans to open an office in Singapore in Q3 2011. The firm, which has offices in Jersey and Gurnsey, will become the first Channel Islands law firm with a Singapore office.

This announcement follows the firm’s April 2011 merger which saw Crill Canavan in Jersey and Collas Day in Guernsey, join forces. Guernsey-based partner Sean Cheong will oversee the new Singapore office, which will advise clients on both Jersey and Guernsey laws. Cheong is admitted to practice in Malaysia and Guernsey, as well as England and Wales.

The choice of Singapore for Collas Crill’s third office location is indicative of the ongoing popularity of offshore entities with Asian investors. Favourable company tax regimes and ready access to overseas stock exchanges ensure that interest in offshore jurisdictions, such as the Channel Islands, remains strong. For Collas Crill, interest from Asian clients has predominantly related to corporate and fiduciary matters.

While the move will allow Collas Crill to better service clients in Asia, the firm hopes that being the first Channel Islands law firm in Singapore will prove advantageous in building relationships with existing and new clients in the region. “We have been developing our Asian client base over the past three years and although it is still relatively small, it is significant enough for us to make the move,” said Cheong.

Speaking on the decision to launch in Singapore rather than Hong Kong—which has traditionally been favoured by offshore law firms setting up their operations in Asia—Cheong told ALB that the firm believes the growth potential in the Lion City.

“We also see huge potential in Singapore and are positioning it as another alternative for clients in the region,” said Cheong. “Singapore is a well established hub in its own right and is increasingly attracting fund managers, private banks and other wealth management professionals.  There is a good range of Channel Islands "products" which would be eminently suited to this growing market of highly sophisticated professionals.  Hong Kong, Malaysia and Indonesia are practically on its doorstep so there are no real issues of proximity, or lack of proximity.”