Appleby Spurling Hunter and Jersey-based Bailhache Labesse have formally completed their merger.

First announced in May, 2006, the combined group is now called Appleby Hunter Bailhache, a leading offshore provider of legal, fiduciary and administration services.

The firm has a major presence in four of the world?s leading offshore business centres ? Bermuda, the British Virgin Islands, the Cayman Islands and Jersey as well as offices in London and Hong Kong.

The firm?s collective resources include approximately 600 lawyers and staff worldwide (including 45 partners).

?Appleby Hunter Bailhache offers improved services to both existing and new clients,? Shaun Morris, Bermuda managing partner said.

?The new group?s strength and depth across multiple jurisdictions enables Appleby Hunter Bailhache to give clients access to impartial offshore guidance and experience as well as a talented pool of lawyers in any of its locations. We are able to service international clients in any of our jurisdictions as well as expand our global resources to the benefit of our Bermuda-based clients.?

The new group?s key strengths continue to be in the areas of corporate and commercial advice, insurance, funds and investment services, asset finance, banking, capital markets, dispute resolution, insolvency and restructuring, trusts and real property, telecommunications and technology.

Complementing the firm?s offshore legal services are trust, corporate administration as well as company accounting and management services.

Peter Bubenzer, global managing partner, said: ?Our strategy is to be the leading provider of legal, fiduciary and administration services in the offshore world. ?We now have strength and depth across multiple jurisdictions which will help to position us as the first choice for clients in the offshore world.?