Shadbolt links to Tanzania firm and opens Greek office

Surrey firm Shadbolt & Co has forged links with a firm in Tanzania and is opening arguably the first Greek office of a UK firm which does not specialise in shipping work.The specialist commercial and construction practice, which recently became only the third law firm to win a Queen's Award for its international activities, has set up an association in Dar es Salaam with local law firm FK Law Chambers with a view to future expansion.Construction partner Simon Delves, who is leading the venture, said: 'At present we handle Tanzanian work from the UK with occasional visits, but we are looking possibly to establish a permanent presence out there if the work demands it.'He said that legal work in Africa is continually increasing as the South African influence spreads up through the continent.

'Tanzania has already provided us with successful client activities in Africa and our presence there will bring us closer to clients in nearby countries,' he said.

'It's a real opportunity for UK practices.'The Athens office will be known as Shadbolt & Associates and will concentrate on private finance initiative work.

Partner George Rosenberg, who has led the move and is transferring to Greece, said: 'Construction work is really booming in Greece at the moment.

A phenomenal amount is due to the upcoming Olympics - but this provides a stimulus for other projects.

'Apart from the stadiums there are extensions to the metro, six new roads under tender, a new airport, port extensions and railways to be built.'While there are more than a dozen UK firms already in Greece - almost all in the port of Piraeus - Mr Rosenberg said that as far as he knew, they all deal with shipping.The Greek practice will be run in association with local construction specialist firm Markakis & Associates.

Mr Rosenberg said: 'We share a close working arrangement with the firm, although that may develop into something more formal in time.'Shadbolts already has offices in Paris and Hong Kong.Andrew Towler