The Maples Group has expanded its Irish legal services offering in Asia with the launch of a new Irish Asset Finance practice in Singapore. The new Irish practice has been established to support aviation clients who increasingly require multi-jurisdictional and time zone sensitive legal advice on the ground in Asia.
Led by James Kinsley, Singapore-based Finance Partner, the new practice will focus on Irish aviation finance, and uniquely, its lawyers can advise on aviation finance transactions across the laws of Ireland, the Cayman Islands and the British Virgin Islands. The team benefit from Mandarin and Japanese speakers, ensuring that the needs of local, as well as international clients, are provided for.
The new offering is a part of a long-term strategy to expand the Maples Group's Irish Asset Finance practice and follows Kinsley's secondment to the Group's Irish office where he worked alongside the Irish aviation team.
Commenting on the new offering, Donna Ager said, "Over the past few years, there has been an increasing demand from our clients for specialist Irish legal capacity on the ground in Asia, particularly in the aviation sector. Through discussions with our clients and partners, we decided that despite the challenges that COVID-19 have presented to the aviation sector, it was the right time for us to expand our asset finance offering in Singapore. Our team are already busy advising clients on financing arrangements including strategic acquisitions and investments in the sector."
Commenting on the launch of the second Irish practice in Asia, Michael Gagie, Head of the Asia Finance practice and Regional Managing Partner - Asia said, "This is an exciting development for the Maples Group. Our enhanced offering demonstrates the Group's commitment to our Asia-based clients and intermediaries and underscores our collaborative approach to advising clients. Hong Kong and Singapore are international hubs for cross-border finance and banking transactions and we anticipate that our Irish expertise and capabilities will continue to be in high demand across the Asia region."
Ireland Managing Partner, Nicholas Butcher added, "This is an important development for our Irish and Asia practices and demonstrates the strong economic ties and connections between the two regions. This further expands our global Irish network and offers international clients access to Irish legal advice in multiple time zones suitable to their needs.