Herbert Smith Freehills has formed a joint operation with a Chinese law firm, becoming the sixth global firm to gain access to a local law practice under the Shanghai Free Trade Zone (FTZ) programme.

The firm has been given regulatory approval for a tie-up with Shanghai-based Kewei Law Firm. The two firms, while legally separate, are able through a joint operation office in the FTZ to interact with clients as one team and integrate Chinese and international law advice.