London-based international law firms LG and Withers announced openings this week in Singapore to take advantage of the growing private client market in the region in moves that reinforce the growing trend of western law firms looking to the far east for growth.

The need for tax and trust legal advice has grown rapidly in South East Asia after the passing of US legislation designed to crack down on tax avoidance. Singapore is seen as a key strategic hub to capture a share of the market following Washington’s introduction of the US Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act, which was passed in 2010, but is not scheduled for implementation until next year.

LG will launch a Singapore office in the coming months through an alliance with local firm PK Wong and Associates. Former senior partner Penny Francis will head the office, which will be LG’s first move into Asia and their fifth practice overall alongside London, Dubai, Moscow and Monaco.

‘Singapore is a significant hub for global business.’ LG managing partner Hugh Maule told London-based newspaper Legal Week. ‘An office in Singapore is the next step for us strategically after our successful opening in Dubai.’

Meanwhile, leading London-based private client practice Withers will also launch a Singapore office in May. The base -- the firm’s 10^th worldwide and second in Asia following Hong Kong -- will be headed by wealth planning expert Jay Krouse. The firm also expects to make a number of new hires before the opening.

Mr Krouse said: ‘Recent developments in international taxpayer information exchange have created an overwhelming demand for US and international tax expertise in Singapore, as well as its South East Asian neighbours.’ Withers managing partner Margaret Robertson added: ‘Even when we opened in Hong Kong we knew it would only be a question of time before we set up in Singapore.’