The trend towards business globalisation has led to a decision by the law partners of leading firm Conyers, Dill & Pearman to open a London office in the spring.

A near four year old idea, the international expansion now comes after some nine months of detailed consideration, and, is designed to improve the flow of new business directly to Bermuda.

Retired partner John Ellison, who spent time in the Hong Kong office and is now living in England, has been involved in the legwork for the firm in advance of the establishment of new offices on Threadneedle Street.

CDP London will complement the firm's other satellite offices in British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands and Hong Kong, together with its Bermuda headquarters.

Yet partner John Collis concedes that CDP London has the potential to become as significant, or more significant, in attracting new business than the highly successful Hong Kong office.

He said, "The business we expect to get from London is easier to predict.'' The London office will be headed by Englishman Martin Lane who was with CD&P as an associate for nearly four years until 1994, and who spent the last three years with top ten UK law firm, Dibb Lupton Alsop.

Mr. Collis said the London office is a significant step and is expected to enhance the CD&P's service to European clients, allowing real time advice to those considering using Bermuda as a base for their offshore structures.

CDP London will advise on a full range of Bermuda legal matters, including the establishment of companies, partnerships, trusts, mutual funds and insurance companies and all aspects of corporate and commercial activities that may arise from their ongoing operations.

Mr. Collis said, "The availability of Bermuda legal advice in London can only enhance Bermuda's attractiveness to Europeans as the jurisdiction of choice for their offshore deals.

"We are delighted that Martin Lane has chosen to rejoin us. The combination of his legal experience and knowledge of the UK marketplace makes him an ideal person to lead our London operation.'' Mr. Lane, who is here until March planning the London office launch, said, "Because of its clear strengths, Bermuda remains a popular choice for European businesses, but Bermuda is facing fierce competition from European offshore jurisdictions and law firms from other jurisdictions are already in London.

"If Bermuda is to compete with them on a level playing field then real time Bermuda legal advice needs to be available in London.'' Mr. Collis said that the firm would be staffed modestly at first, but he could foresee four lawyers being on staff in the not too distant future.

It comes after US firms in particular have moved into Europe, and especially London in a big way, as borders in the European Union are being torn down.

Mr. Collis conceded CD&P's objectives were slightly different going into the leading financial centre, where European and Asian interests have been converging for years to conduct significant financial transactions.

He said, "This puts us on the ground right where they will be doing international bond issues and other significant transactions. Like our Hong Kong office, this provides us with a base there.

"But our raison d'etre is to do Bermuda business. We hope to attract business from London or Europe that may have gone elsewhere. And also, we have a number of clients in Bermuda with London and European bases.'' John Collis Martin Lane BUSINESS BUC