Slaughter and May is opening an office in China in a rare move for the City law firm that has traditionally eschewed overseas expansion in favour of referring work to local partner firms.

Slaughter and May, which has had an office in Hong Kong since 1974, said expanding to China was a natural extension of its presence in Asia and it will continue to co-operate with other Chinese firms.

The China office, which is expected to open next year, will be led by George Goulding, a corporate and commercial partner who will transfer from Slaughter and May’s Hong Kong office.

Chris Saul, senior partner, said: “This move is a natural and exciting development in our international strategy. We have a longstanding practice in Hong Kong, with an increasing focus on China work and we are fortunate to enjoy a preeminent position in the region.”

Although it has offices in Brussels, Paris and Hong Kong, Slaughter and May has traditionally based its international strategy on referral relationships with a network of leading independent law firms in other jurisdictions.

Two of those firms, Netherlands partner De Brauw Blackstone Westbroek and Uria Menendez of Spain, are also opening Beijing offices in the same building as Slaughter and May, although the three practices will be independent.

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