Cotty Vivant Marchisio & Lauzeral is the only foreign firm to have confirmed an interest in applying for a Qualifying Foreign Law Firm (QFLF) licence in Singapore.

Five licenses are in the process of being issued; the licences will allow foreign firms to practise Singapore law in commercial arbitration through their own Singapore-qualified lawyers without entering into a JLV. The QFLF scheme is expected to begin within 12 months. While a number of firms are widely expected to apply for licences, it appears plans are staying under wraps at present.