Offshore law firm Conyers Dill & Pearman is set to go truly international with the launch of a new office in Moscow, Russia later this year.

With an anticipated opening in March 2008, the new office set-up will allow Conyers to use its offshore law expertise in a convenient location and time zone, and is in addition to its offices in London and Dubai.

The firm, which advises on the laws of Bermuda, British Virgin Islands and the Cayman Islands, has received the Certificate of Accreditation from the Russian Ministry of Justice and will be based in offices in Ducat III, the new business centre on Gasheka Street, next to the famous Garden Ring.

Conyers Dill & Pearman chairman John Collis said: "The growth in international trade itself has spawned more and more potential clients around the world seeking offshore services.

"Many markets that were once described as 'emerging markets' have now clearly emerged, and their corporations are seeking to do business globally.

"Moscow's financial services sector has reacted quickly to accommodate the demands of Russian industry and over the past few years, we have seen significant growth in quality corporate and finance work involving Russian corporations.

"We expect our team will be kept very busy in the early days meeting with existing clients, making new contacts and dealing with our current body of work and new work as it continues to flow in.

"As with our pioneering exploration into Hong Kong in 1985 and Singapore in 2001 we expect to establish ourselves swiftly to consolidate our position as the leading provider of offshore legal services in Moscow and Eastern Europe."

The firm's Russian operation will focus on general corporate and commercial work, particularly transactions are that are outward investment by Russian companies, such as international IPOs and public offerings by Russian businesses; acquisition of foreign assets and businesses by Russian companies, as well as inward investment by western businesses in Russia by way of acquisition of Russian businesses, and bank financing transactions by western banks of Russian businesses.