Halliwells looks to the Far East

By Deborah James on Aug 30, 07 08:03 AM

A LIVERPOOL law firm Halliwells is setting its sights on the far east after recruiting two members of staff who will be based in China.

The company, based in Old Hall Street, has taken on two consultants in Shanghai to seek out companies which either want to float on London's stock exchange or which are hoping to expand into Europe.

The pair will also advise British companies looking to expand into China.

Senior partner Alec Craig said: "We want them to find businesses we can work with and can introduce to accountants and other advisers here.

"We have done a fair bit of work for Chinese companies in recent months, including several floats, and have built an extensive network of intermediaries and referrers.

"There are joint ventures and other transactions in the pipeline, and now we have a presence on the ground in China we expect to be well-placed to make further progress."

Halliwells established the Far East branch, which includes partners Nigel Brown and Tim Jackson-Smith, after the firm recruited Chinese national Chong Cao last year.

Mr Craig added: "Chong was doing a post-graduate degree and, when he came to see us, we thought he was coming for advice. However, he wasn't - he wanted to train as an English lawyer.

"He was talking to two or three other firms, and we signed him up there and then. Now he is a trainee in our corporate team and he has added a new dimension to our operations."

West China Cement and restaurant chain Prince Catering and Management (Overseas) have both floated in the last year with help from Halliwells.

Halliwells' China-related activities generated overall fee income of £880,000 during the 12 months to the end of April, and that could rise to £4m this year.