The firm is the only one of six companies that decided not to re-apply for a QLFP license, according to the Singapore Ministry of Law. The MinLaw has given it a six-extension on its license to October 2014 to ensure a smooth transition from the scheme. The QLFP licence was first granted in 2008 to further open up the legal sector to non-domestic firms and its holders had been up for renewal this year. 

"Our practice in Singapore is primarily international. We do not believe that operating under our own licence is the only way to service our clients' Singapore law requirements. We have been granted a six month extension after which the firm will have new arrangements in place to support our ambitions and those of our clients in Singapore and the wider region," said Michael Walter, managing partner for South East Asia at Herbert Smith Freehills. 

"The integration of the legacy Freehills and Herbert Smith offices in Singapore is complete and our clients are increasingly benefiting from our extended capabilities across Asia Pacific. We will be making a number of announcements in the coming months regarding further strategic initiatives in the region," he added.

The firm has over 50 lawyers in Singapore. Herbert Smith Freehills was established in October 2012 after a merger between UK-headquartered Herbert Smith and Australian law firm Freehills. The merged entity then became the largest fully integrated law firm in Asia-Pacific, as per a January 2013 "Asia-Pacific 150" ranking by The Lawyer.