Fangda Partners is set to launch its new Hong Kong office in June 2012 with the hiring of litigation specialist Peter Yuen from Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer.

The Chinese firm will enter into an association with a Hong Kong firm that will be set up by Yuen. Regulatory approvals for the Hong Kong office are still pending.

Yuen, a litigation partner based at the Hong Kong office of Freshfields, has been with the magic circle firm since 1996. His practice comprises litigation and arbitration in Hong Kong and China, with a focus on commercial disputes, regulatory matters, corporate compliance, and banking and IP issues.

Freshfields expects to work closely with Fangda Partners in regional and international arbitrations, and regulatory internal investigations. The UK firm confirmed in a statement that it will cooperate with the new Fangda Hong Kong branch by cross-referring clients and dispute matters in Asia.

Robert Ashworth, the Asia managing partner of Freshfields said:  “We very much look forward to working with Peter and Fangda on new mandates. As a result of these moves, we will be able to offer clients not only our own arbitration and investigations teams who are well versed in PRC issues, but also tapping into Fangda’s excellent clients and experiences.”