Hatstone heads to Dublin to establish its EU base

Hatstone heads to Dublin to establish its EU base

Dublin has become the most popular destination for UK financial services businesses for relocating to the Irish Republic in Brexit's wake

Multinational law firm Hatstone is all set to establish its base in Dublin as its EU base in the Irish Republic through a deal with the partners of Tully Rinckey (Ireland).

Tully Rinckey's Irish partners, led by Grainne Loughnane, with her colleagues, Setanta Landers and Julie O'Sullivan, their associates and staff, are joining Hatstone. The agreement ends their association with the Tully Rinckey international network of law firms. Grainne as the Managing Partner will head Hatstone's Dublin office.

Dublin has become the most popular destination for UK law firms and financial services businesses for relocating to the Irish Republic in the wake of Brexit.

Grainne said that the need for a post-Brexit base in the EU and the Investment Limited Partnerships (Amendment) Act, 2020, designed to make the Republic more attractive to private funds, lured the Hatstone to Dublin.

"As a result of our strong relationship and shared values, Hatstone is a natural fit for us," she added.

Hatstone partner Bella Ward explained that the firm's clients had been asking it to establish a base in Dublin as they sought to invest in the Irish Republic or through Dublin they wanted a presence in the EU.

The firm's newly-joined Irish partners have experience in advising investors, companies and financial institutions. They have a particular focus on property, including inward investment in social housing.

Hatstone, which has offices in the British Virgin Islands, London, Jersey, Panama and South Africa, specialises in finance, and corporate and commercial law.

"We're seeing a lot of interest in this sector from investors seeking to diversify away from more mature markets for these assets in the UK and Europe," Grainne said, adding that although this was a new area for the firm, the recent law reforms and policy changes have left it well supported.