Many of Asia's leading domestic firms have come together to advise on London-listed First Choice Holidays PLC's multi-jurisdictional acquisition of the Pacific World Group of companies.
 
Acting as primary counsel for long-standing client First Choice on its entrance into the Asia Pacific market, a Herbert Smith team led by Hong Kong-based partner Roddy Martin coordinated the leisure-travel company's team of local firms on the deal.
 
Herbert Smith's Singapore office, in conjunction with local firm KhattarWong & Partners, advised on the Singaporean law aspects of the deal; while the UK firm's associated office in Jakarta, Hiswara Bunjamin and Tandjung, advised on Indonesian law matters.
 
Other firms advising First Choice included Skrine on matters of Malaysian law, Siam Premier on Thai law, Frasers on Vietnamese law and DFDL on Cambodian law. Arculli Fong & Ng, Rajah & Tann and Albrights represented Pacific World.
 
Pacific World is a leading conference and events service provider to the Asia corporate market. The company also provides cruise line and travel services. It was first established in Hong Kong and now has a network of operations throughout China, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand and Cambodia.
 
Herbert Smith's Martin - who last year advised CNOOC on the Hong Kong law aspects of its US$18.5bn merger proposal with Unocal - said: "We have enjoyed working with all of the First Choice team members. The combination of Herbert Smith's home grown presence in Asia and close relationships with local law firms has once again enabled us to coordinate a multi-jurisdictional M&A transaction for our clients."