Firm's Zimbabwe link

A London firm has set up an associated office with a Zimbabwean practice to fight for commercial farmers who have been stripped of their assets by that country's government.

Bishop & Sewell began forging links with Harare-based Stumbles & Rowe last year following their introduction by a mutual client.

The two agreed to work together as Bishop & Sewell had previously conducted a substantial amount of work advising on matters coming out of Africa.

The associated office arrangement will mean the firms can refer matters between themselves according to expertise and jurisdiction.

They will share information by way of an intranet, but will pool personnel to work together on particular projects, and staff from Bishop & Sewell will travel to Harare when necessary.

The firms have also been in negotiations with the United Nations Development Programme over establishing commercial agricultural programmes in South Africa.

Bishop & Sewell partner Matthew Coleman said much of southern Africa was facing famine owing to political tensions, which had also scuppered investment in the area.

'Zimbabwe, until recently, was described as the "breadbasket" of southern Africa - it was an exporter of food,' he explained.

'The commercial farmers of Zimbabwe represent a tremendous skill base that is needed in order to re-establish commercial farming in southern Africa.

They can do this only if they are compensated.'

Paula Rohan