Partners Christopher Morley, Anita Chow and Eric Seto are leaving Haldanes to set up their own firm, Morley Chow Seto, in Hong Kong.

The new firm, which is slated to launch on Aug. 1, will focus on criminal litigation, regulatory and securities matters.

“We think there is a place in the market for a firm that exclusively handles criminal, securities and regulatory work,” said Morley in an interview with ALB.

“That’s the niche in the market we are trying to get.”

Morley, who has been a partner at Haldanes since 1997, specialises in criminal and commercial litigation.

Chow and Seto, partners at Haldanes since 1995 and 2008, respectively, both focus on criminal litigation, securities and regulatory matters.

In addition to Morley, Chow and Seto, two more lawyers from Haldanes’ criminal litigation practice will join the new firm as associates, said Morley.