Cains, an offshore commercial law firm incorporated in the Isle of Man, will open an Asia-Pacific regional office in Singapore by the middle of 2008 to service existing clients in Asia and build a regional business through an on-the-ground presence.

The firm, with experience in the fields of banking and financial services, capital markets, mutual funds and asset finance, has already been active in Asia, particularly in asset finance and capital markets transactions. Cains has advised Asian companies and funds on flotations including on the main board of the Singapore Stock Exchange.

The office is to be headed by Mike Edwards, a director of Cains currently based in the Isle of Man, who will be joined by a team of experienced corporate lawyers.