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In Central and South America lawyers are experiencing mixed fortunes as one of the world's most exciting markets digests the combined effects of the Mexican peso crisis, Nafta and privatization. Richard Forster reports

The government has taken steps to encourage insurance companies to provide offshore insurance services in Labuan's International Offshore Financial Centre. Although reaction in the banking market to the possibility of setting-up offshore had been good, only six insurance companies had moved to the centre.

The Finance Ministry has recently revised its policy relating to the issue of Foreign Currency Convertible Bonds (FCCBs) and ordinary shares (through the Depositary Receipt mechanism). It has substantially relaxed its policy on Euro-issues including clearance to non-bank finance companies to access the European market. Under the revised guidelines, non-bank financial companies registered with the Reserve Bank of India have been permitted to float Euro-issues. The new guidelines are expected to promote greater flexibility.

The Swedish Supreme Court has recently had to pass judgment in an interesting case (NJA 1996 s52) regarding the perfection of pledges under Swedish law.

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."

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

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.

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 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