Appleby, the offshore legal, fiduciary and administration services firm, is to expand into mainland China with the launch of a new representative office in Shanghai at the start of April.

Appleby, the offshore legal, fiduciary and administration services firm, is to expand into mainland China with the launch of a new representative office in Shanghai at the start of April.

The new base, which will operate in tandem with the firm’s 20-year-old Hong Kong office, is regarded by Appleby as being key to the next stage in its development. The firm said it chose Shanghai as the location for the new office as it is the “commercial and financial centre of mainland China.”

“Our strategy is to focus on offering fiduciary and administration services from this base. We feel there is a genuine need for these services in the People's Republic of China given the economic environment there. Should it become appropriate to do so, we will of course consider offering our clients a broader range of services from there,” said Michael O’Connell, global group managing partner.

A number of Appleby’s peers are busily expanding in the Asia-Pacific region. Last week, Withers launched an office in Singapore, its second in Asia, to meet “urgent demand” from clients seeking information on new US disclosure rules. Meanwhile, at the end of January Mourant Ozannes launched in Hong Kong.