Cayman Islands-based Maples & Calder is to be the first major offshore law firm to secure a presence in the Middle East when it opens an off...

Cayman Islands-based Maples & Calder is to be the first major offshore law firm to secure a presence in the Middle East when it opens an office in Dubai on 26 September.

The branch will focus on hedge funds and mutual funds as well as general trust work for high net individuals.The 125-lawyer firm which merged with the British Virgin Islands’ Smith-Hughes Raworth & McKenzie last September said the move was part of its strategy to be the largest offshore law firm. The firm also launched a practice in Jersey last year.

Cayman-based corporate partner Tahir Jawed is to head the new office.