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Following a review of its international practice, German firm Pünder, Volhard, Weber & Axster has decided to open a Hong Kong office before the July 1 handover to China. Peter Nägele, Frankfurt partner with the firm which heads the Pünder Group, says there will be several partners there concentrating on banking and finance work. "It will not just be a rep office: we will be serving German and European clients and aim to be profitable from day one," he says. Of Pünder's German rivals, only Brückhaus Westrick Stegemann has an Asian presence through its offices in Hong Kong and Tokyo. Pünder managing partner Thomas Gasteyer says the firm had planned the move for some time and hoped to open there before the end of June subject to completing the relevant paperwork. Gasteyer expects the new office will become a joint practice of the six-member Pünder Group. "I think this will be a joint office but we have not yet received replies from all the other firms on our proposal," says Gasteyer. "In all likelihood I expect it will."

French firm Giroux Buhagiar & Associés is to merge with the Paris office of Stibbe Simont Monahan Duhot. On July 1, Giroux Buhagiar's 23 lawyers will move to Stibbe Simont's 70-lawyer office. The merged firm will be known as Stibbe Simont Monahan Duhot & Giroux. Stibbe Simont in Paris specializes in mergers and acquisitions as well as tax, competition and EU law. Giroux Buhagiar concentrates on banking and financial law.

A three-tier mechanism now permits foreign issuers better access to the Brazilian markets. By Sergio Spinelli Silva Jr of Mattos Filho, Veiga Filho, Marrey Jr, Moherdaui e Quiroga, São Paulo

Cross-default clause amendments have become standard in many derivative contracts. But they are not always welcome, argues Ebo Coleman, barrister, London, proposing alternative wording

The new Law of the Mexican Institute of Social Security is set to enter into force on July 1 1997, from which date employees will be entitled to have their pension funds managed by 'retirement fund administrators' (administradores de fondos para el retiro or 'afores'), which can be private bodies. Funds are at present managed by the Social Security Institute.

Growing numbers of foreign futures brokers are taking advantage of the registration exemptions offered by the US Commodity Futures Trading Commission. By Michael S Sackheim of Brown & Wood LLP, New York

UK security, fire protection and home improvement group Williams Holdings is making a US$1.3 billion bid for rival Chubb Security.

US filter and separation systems company Pall Corporation has acquired Gelman Sciences for about US$237 million of Pall common stock.

Texas buy-out company Texas Pacific Group is offering an undisclosed amount, believed to be at least US$800 million, for Del Monte Foods, the US's largest branded producer and distributor of tinned fruit and vegetables.

Dutch company Philips Media is selling its 50% stake in United and Philips Communications, the largest privately-owned cable system in Europe, to its joint venture partner, American concern United International Holdings. The deal is worth US$425 million.