Offshore law firm Collas Crill and BVI firm Farara Kerins have announced that they are to merge with effect from 1 January 2017, extending the client offering of both firms.
The merger will see Collas Crill expand its global presence alongside its Singapore, Cayman Islands, London, Guernsey and Jersey offices.
The firm will remain as Collas Crill in its current jurisdictions and trade as Collas Crill-Farara Kerins for a transitional period in the BVI.
The firm's BVI offering will include funds, corporate and dispute resolution work.
Collas Crill Group Managing Partner Jason Romer said: “As Collas Crill continues to grow and expand within the offshore market, it was a natural step to cement our presence in the Caribbean, satisfying our well-established client-base.
"Many of our clients across the world have asked us to have a presence in the BVI. It is a direct response to their needs and represents an exciting development to help us to further assist our clients with their global requirements. It allows us to provide a seamless offering across all our jurisdictions."
Gerard St. C. Farara, QC, Senior Partner at Farara Kerins, said: "We are very excited to be merging with Collas Crill. The merger represents a strategic move for our firm to build on our excellent reputation and the foundations Collas Crill has made through its Cayman and Singapore offices.
"Together we will be able to build on the first-class service we already offer clients giving access to new and exciting markets and will raise awareness of our services in international legal markets."
This decision comes after Collas Crill's successful opening of its Singapore office in 2011 and the firm's merger with Charles Adams Ritchie & Duckworth (CARD) in the Cayman Islands two years ago.
A dedicated and professional management team will be running the integration process. This will ensure that, in line with both firms' ethos, lawyers will remain focused on clients and continue to deliver the excellent service on which each firm prides itself.