Offshore law firm Ogier has expanded its jurisdictional network by opening new offices in Tokyo and Bahrain.

The new offices are part of Ogier's expansionary strategy to maximise its presence in the world's financial hot spots.

"In pursuit of our strategy, we felt it critically important to establish a strong presence in both the Middle East and Japanese markets so that we can provide the full range of Ogier's services to our clients in their own time zone and in a manner that is responsive to local conditions and practices," said Ogier chairman Jonathan White.

The opening of the Bahrain office comes a few weeks after the firm announced its new Bahraini JV company, Two Seas Trust (office pictured), designed to establish trust funds in the region. Chartered secretary Paul Perris, as general manager of Ogier Bahrain and managing director of Two Seas Trust, will head both the office and the JV company. The office will launch with three professionals but numbers are pending on client demand, said the firm.

The Tokyo office, to be headed by former Deutsche Securities analyst Skip Hashimoto, will provide a link to the firm's Hong Kong office, integrating its Cayman and BVI experience for its Japanese clients.