DLA Piper, Eversheds, K&L Gates and Linklaters are among a raft of firms expected to apply to practise local law in Singapore after the country’s Ministry of Law announced that a second round of licences will be awarded next year.

Singapore law minister K Shanmugam recently confirmed that law firms will be able to apply for Qualifying Foreign Law Practice (QFLP)  licences in the second half of 2012, with the licences to be granted next year. Clifford Chance, Herbert Smith, Allen & Overy, Norton Rose, White & Case and Latham & Watkins all won licences during the first round in 2008.