Partner Interview - Matthew Nortcliff

What will be the most important market trend affecting your clients’ sector over the next 12 months?

We have become used to the huge amount of capital flowing out of Hong Kong and China into UK and European real estate in recent years. Over the next 12 months the big question is, “Who’s next?” We expect to see new capital sources from within the Asia-Pacific region, especially a new wave of large Korean, Japanese and Malaysian investors.

What has been your most memorable day as a lawyer?

My first working day in Singapore, nearly eight years ago. In a single day, I worked across five different (and new to me) jurisdictions. The variety of work and speed of development in this region is what has kept me here quite a bit longer than originally planned.

What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?

‘Clarity matters’ was a constant message during my first years as a lawyer. It’s stuck with me because your advice can be as clever as you like, but if your clients can’t understand it or take decisions based on it, it’s not much use to anyone.

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