Two Berkeley Institute alumni and two Oxford University alumni have joined to form Francis & Forrest, Bermuda's newest law firm which opened for business last month at the Corner House on Parliament Street.

The partners and former Berkeley students are Nadine Francis, who specialises in property law and estate planning, and Don Laurenceo who handles corporate and trust law.

They are joined by property, corporate trust and commercial lawyer Helen Forrest, and the firm's senior litigation attorney, Clare Hatcher.

The firm said in a prepared statement: "There will be further additions to the firm which will be announced at a later date. We consider ourselves a young, dynamic, progressive firm dedicated to a team approach. We are somewhat unusual in that we have a comparatively high ratio of female to male lawyers.

"We are particularly excited to have been joined by Clare Hatcher who has a strong reputation in the community for her involvement in charities, women's issues and human rights.

"Francis & Forrest will provide a complete range of legal services, including corporate and commercial advice, property, estate planning and management, trusts, family law and all aspects of civil litigation.''