International desks

We can give you quick and easy access to the international support you need.

From our base in Wales, we work with clients around the world, and have attracted talent from diverse backgrounds. This diversity enables us to support organisations regionally, nationally and globally.  

So you can easily access the international support we provide, we’ve launched a series of international desks. Each desk’s team is made up of lawyers who originate from, or are intimately familiar with, the countries they represent. Many are native language speakers, and all can help you navigate the local legal system – through both legal advice and personal connections.  

The Balkans

We advise clients who would like to trade with, or from, the Balkans. We know the differences in the various legal systems in the region, and their different business cultures. We are fluent in Serbian, Croatian and Macedonian, and understand the historic political complexities of the region.

Our network and relationships mean that we can access lawyers whom we know, have worked with and trust, in Serbia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, as well as the rest of the region.

Nasim smo klijentima uvijek na raspolaganju. Mi dajemo pouzdan pravni savjet uz najvise medjunarodne standarde.

Ту смо да помогнемо. Наши савети су јасни, прецизни и благовремени. Секогаш високиот степен на посветеност, правната експертиза и креативното размислување.

Angelina Drljaca-Chandler, who heads up our Balkans desk, is a native Serbian, Croatian and Macedonian speaker. She grew up in the region and has very close ties to it. Angelina is a corporate lawyer with 18 years’ experience. 

The Baltic states

We understand the business culture in Baltic states and have an extensive network of business contacts in the region. Our networking and relationships mean that we can access lawyers and other professional advisers whom we know, have worked with and trust, within the Baltic states, allowing us to advise on and facilitate new business opportunities and connections with our clients.

Some of our work has involved advising on the immigration options available for nationals from Baltic states wanting to work in the UK as well as an overview of applicable employment laws that will apply while they are here. Through the advice we give, we are able to get a practical understanding of the different legal systems, cultures and languages that encompass the Baltic states.

The Baltic states are among the easiest countries to do business in. They have a cost–competitive and talented workforce, and world–class communications. They consistently import around £2 billion of value a year from the UK.

Jeigu norėtumėte daugiau sužinoti apie mus, mes labai mielai plačiau papasakotume jums apie savo veiklą.

Richard Thomas heads up our Baltic desk.  

China & South East Asia

China and South East Asia are important markets for the UK. We are a member of the China Collaborative Group (CCG)which facilitates trade and investment as part of the One Belt One Road Project. The CCG has been officially acknowledged by China’s National Development and Reform Commission.    

We offer legal advice to clients exporting to or importing from China, or who wish to set up a business there. We also help clients from across South East Asia with their legal issues in the UK.  We have a network of trusted lawyers in South East Asia, and through them a practical understanding of the different legal systems, cultures and languages.  

We advise on corporate and commercial transactions, joint ventures, banking and security, employment and corporate governanceenforceability of contracts, and intellectual property issues.  

Marlies Hoecherl, who heads up the China & South East Asia desk, supported by Duncan Macintosh, is a corporate lawyer with over 25 years’ experience in both corporate and commercial practice, often with an international dimension. She has worked on many projects in China, Hong Kong, Japan, Indonesia, Philippines, Thailand, Singapore and Malaysia.  As part of the CCG, she has advised on Chinese legal issues in Shanghai. 

France

Our French desk provides legal advice to businesses on corporate transactions, commercial issues and litigation involving France and the UK. The team has worked in key trade sectors between the two countries, such as transport, medical and pharmaceutical, education, automotive, electronics, and food and drink.

Thanks to our extensive network of businesses and professional advisors, we can provide a full range of legal advice, while facilitating new business opportunities and connections for our clients.

In 2021, we opened an office in Paris, meaning we can meet our clients in the French capital whenever they need us.

Céline Jones, who leads our French desk, is an expert in international litigation. In 2017, she was appointed Avocat Conseil auprès du Consulat Général et de l’Ambassade de France à Londres, a prestigious Legal Counsel role to the French Embassy in the UK, and the first award of its kind for a solicitor in Wales. Céline is co-founder and Chair of Le Club, a Franco-Welsh Business Forum which aims to stimulate networking, partnership development and trading opportunities between organisations with both French and Welsh links.

Germany

We facilitate legal advice to German clients, and clients who would like to do business in Germany. We understand the difference in legal systems, are fluent in German, and are familiar with the business culture in Germanspeaking countries. Our extensive network means we can access lawyers we know, have worked with and trust, in Germany, Austria and Switzerland – as you need. 

We advise on corporate and commercial transactions, employment and directorship issues, enforcement of judgments and claims, as well as insolvency.

Was auch immer ihr juristisches Problem – wir sind fuer Sie da!

Marlies Hoecherl, who heads up the German desk, is a native German speaker. She is a corporate lawyer with over 25 years’ experience in both corporate and commercial practice, often with an international dimension.  

South Asia

We offer legal advice to businesses looking to trade with, or from, South Asian countries. We understand the legal, commercial and cultural issues that impact on trade between the region, Europe and the UK, and our links with lawyers in India mean we can also help you navigate the country’s unique mix of civil and common law.

South Asia is a very important market for business, particularly in the light of its significant role in the global economy, and the UK government’s desire to strengthen its ties with India post-Brexit. It is a hub for a variety of trading and manufacturing sectors, including automotive, technology and pharmaceuticals.

Duncan Macintosh was born and raised in New Delhi – his family was in business there for over 30 years – and retains strong links with the country. He is admitted as a solicitor in England and Wales, and in Scotland. A founder of Capital, Duncan leads our Corporate team, and heads up our Indian desk, supported by Tara Swaminathan. Tara was born in Devon, with strong roots in Chennai and is fluent in spoken Tamil. Working in our Financial Services team, Tara has a master’s degree in international law and international relations. 

Ireland

Ireland is Wales’ third largest export market, with £1.5 billion worth of goods exported in 2018. The Welsh government is working to strengthen ties across the Irish Sea after Brexit. Ireland has also become a global hub for the technology sector, and an attractive jurisdiction for multinational businesses.  

Our Irish desk supports clients looking to do business in Ireland and the United Kingdom.  It comprises dual Irish/English and Welsh qualified lawyers. We understand the legal systems, the market, and the business culture in Ireland. Thanks to our network, we can access lawyers we know, have worked with, and trust, in Ireland and Northern Ireland. 

Our Financial Services team often works with clients in both the Irish and UK economies. We also work closely with the Consul General of Ireland in Wales, to help further develop Irish/Welsh business and cultural ties. 

Chris Coughlan, who heads up our Irish desk, grew up in Dublin and is admitted as a solicitor in both England & Wales and in Ireland. Chris is a commercial, data protection and intellectual property lawyer, specialising in technology. 

Italy

We support Italian-speaking clients, or clients who have business in Italy. Our knowledge and understanding of both the Italian language and business culture allow us to provide specialised and bespoke support 

We advise on corporate and commercial transactions, commercial disputes, insurance, and employment. Our links with Consulegis and GBL Alliance give us connections with trusted colleagues in Italy.  

Non vedo l’ora di lavorare con voi!

James Butters, who heads up our Italian desk, gained his LLM in European Law at the European University Institute Florence. James is fluent in Italian and has led transactions in most European jurisdictions, including Italy. He has expertise across finance, structured and corporate debt – in particular M&A financing and private equity sponsor-led leveraged buy-outs; all with significant emphasis on cross-border transactions.

United States

We advise American businesses who want to trade with the UK, or to establish a business there, and vice versa. We are part of two international networks of lawyers, many of whom have offices across the US.

The UK is prioritising a new Free Trade Agreement with the US after we leave the EU. To secure ongoing trade, a deal reported to be worth over £12.8 billion (based on recent trade flows) was struck between both countries in February 2019.

We can advise on all aspects of business, including corporate and commercial transactions, commercial disputes, employment law and immigration, as well as commercial property. Our Financial Services team has helped many firms in the sector to establish a regulated business in the UK, in Europe or in the US.

Rachel Hillier is a corporate and commercial lawyer with 25 years’ experience, specialising in financial services regulation. She manages the US desk.