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The Prevention of Terrorism (Jersey) Law 1996 came into force in Jersey (with the exception of certain provisions thereof) on July 1 1996. The Law proscribes organizations involved in terrorism, contains powers to exclude certain persons from Jersey, includes offences of providing financial assistance for terrorism and provides for the investigation of terrorist activities.

Since the establishment of the official Cyprus Stock Exchange in March 1996, large financial institutions have launched investment funds whose public offerings were oversubscribed almost by a factor of eight.

Australian firm Feez Ruthning, Brisbane, is to merge with Allen Allen Hemsley in Sydney. Both firms are part of the Allens Arthur Robinson Group, share clients and have a tradition of working closely together. Managing partner of Feez Ruthning, Howard Stack, says: "It was a hard commercial decision, but this way we will provide a seamless provision of services." The merger will add 30 partners to Allen Allen Hemsley's 60 partners in Sydney and will mean the firm has 440 lawyers altogether. Stack says: "I've been spelling out the name for 27 years -- I won't be sorry to stop that."

UK firm Ashurst Morris Crisp is opening an office in Singapore. Headed by corporate partner Richard Gubbins and project finance partner Scott Brodsky, it will concentrate on international transactions and project finance. Three associates, Clive Tucker, Shaun Lascelles and Tom Whelan, will also be based in the office, opening in October.

Global harmonization of over-the-counter derivatives regulation is an idea whose time has not yet come, argues Schuyler K Henderson of Baker & McKenzie, London

Lovell White Durrant partner Robert Lee is leaving the firm's Tokyo practice in Tokyo to set up his own practice. He joined the firm from his Hong Kong practice, Robert Lee & Fong, two years ago, and had been working from Lovell's Tokyo office for the last year. Andrew Baker, resident partner, says: "He finds operating independently more attractive than working for a large firm. There is more freedom to do what you want to do."

US firm Morgan, Lewis & Bockius may be planning an office in the Russian federation. The firm recently entered into a mutual referral agreement with Rothstein & Shaw, which has offices in Moscow and Almaty, Kazakhstan. Rothstein & Shaw's practice is focused in the areas of corporate and commercial law, securities, real estate and joint ventures. In return, Morgan Lewis has the expertise of its Russian and CIS practice group, which was recently strengthened by four lawyers who joined from Coudert Brothers. Partners Jake Redway and Jan DuBois have experience in providing advice to clients on transactions in the Russian Federation and are supported by associates Adam Deery and Michael Pekowsky. Pekowsky will be resident in the Moscow office of Rothstein & Shaw.

Despite the loss of partners to Morgan Lewis, Coudert Brothers is pressing ahead with its office in St Petersburg, headed by Marian Hagler, a senior associate from the Moscow office. The office will be staffed by Hagler and a Russian associate, and will advise US companies investing in the St Petersburg region, particularly in joint ventures, privatizations and real estate transactions. Partner supervision will be from Moscow and New York.

• US firm Cleary, Gottlieb, Steen & Hamilton has hired corporate lawyer Andrew Curran from UK firm Lovell White Durrant. Curran, who specializes in mergers and acquisitions, will join Cleary's London office on January 1. Curran will advise Cleary's lawyers in London and throughout Europe on English law (see article on page 15 for comment on this move).

In a market formerly dominated by only one practice area, privatization, lawyers are enjoying the opportunity to offer more general corporate advice. However, this is putting weaker firms under pressure and leading to consolidation. Paul Lee reports