Rising Stars

Dispute resolution in Bermuda

Appleby

Appleby‘s dispute practice team is highly regarded, described as ‘professional, diligent, and well-respected by the judges in Bermuda’. The group represents a diverse range of parties in high-value, multi-jurisdictional litigation and mediation, as well as regulatory and corporate governance matters, including policy wordings. Leading the team is John Wasty, who is noted as ‘rightly in very high demand’ and specialises in commercial litigation, restructurings, fund claims, insolvencies and regulatory affairs, both domestically and internationally. Hannah Tildesley is a specialist in international commercial litigation, with a focus on funds and contentious trust disputes. Counsel Lalita Vaswani, known for her ‘pragmatic and diligent approach‘, supports the team’s corporate litigation, particularly in restructuring and insolvency matters. Khiyara Krige specialises in (re)insurance disputes and corporate litigation, while Sam Riihiluoma‘s expertise lies in civil and commercial litigation, with a strong track record in regulatory affairs, contractual disputes, and professional liability claims.

Practice head(s):

John Wasty


Other key lawyers:

Hannah Tildesley; Lalita Vaswani; Sam Riihiluoma; Khiyara Krige; James Batten


Testimonials

‘The Appleby team is a delight to work with. They are professional, diligent and well-respected by the judges in Bermuda. Always exceptionally hard-working and consider the details.’

‘The insolvency team at Appleby Bermuda is second to none. We’ve been working with them to try to recover on a defaulted loan. This collection effort required a global response (with assets in multiple jurisdictions), and Appleby was able to organise, assemble and lead a global team of lawyers working to achieve results on our behalf. In each instance, we’ve found the lawyers to be thoughtful, prepared and thorough. We could not have achieved as good as result as we did were it not for Appleby.’

‘John Wasty – rightly in very high demand; extremely experienced and exceptionally good on client management. I will recommend John to anyone litigating in Bermuda.’

‘We’ve found Lalita Vaswani to be highly dedicated, practical and intelligent. She has organised and led, on our behalf, a global team of talented lawyers whose aim is to achieve a successful result on our behalf. We have found the Appleby team’s wisdom to be invaluable.’

‘We’ve found James Batten to be incredibly creative in problem solving. After listening to multiple sides on a complex negotiation, James was able to listen to everyone’s needs and wants and suggest solutions that address each of the issues raised.’

‘Khiyara Krige – on top of all the details and supremely reliable, notwithstanding clearly a very heavy workload.’

‘I enjoyed working with this team. They take on a collaborative approach to their work. Despite the time zone and jurisdiction, they were always accessible and beckoned to your call. I was also impressed with the attention to detail that was applied.’

‘My main contact is Lalita Vaswani. Lalita takes a pragmatic and diligent approach to her advice which is supported by her attention to detail of the facts presented. She is personable, approachable and her advice is straightforward. She is supported by James Batten who is also a standout in carrying out his duty and ensuring all the complex points were kept simple to understand.’

Key clients

Jardine Matheson Holdings Limited


Petroleos de Venezuela SA


Former Shareholders of NKWE Platinum Limited


Argus Insurance Company Limited


Bermuda Environmental Sustainability Taskforce BEST


Work highlights


  • Acting for Jardine Matheson Holdings Limited in litigation arising from the merger between Jardine Matheson Holding Limited and Jardine Strategic Holdings Limited relating to prices offered for shares in the merger.
  • Instructed by the estate of a wealthy Taiwanese businessman in claims relating to the validity of trusts.
  • Representing PDVSA in a dispute relating to the liquidation of its former captive PDV Insurance Company Ltd.

Carey Olsen Bermuda Limited

From handling multi-party, cross-jurisdictional litigation to domestic claims, the ‘broad and deep’ dispute resolution practice at Carey Olsen Bermuda Limited has expertise in the full range of disputes, with notable experience in insolvencies, employment claims, restructurings and high-net-worth family law disputes. Michael Hanson, who has significant expertise in multi-jurisdictional crisis management work and regulatory investigations, co-heads the practice alongside the ‘incredibly hardworkingKeith Robinson, who is an experienced trust litigator. Regulatory specialist Kyle Masters, multi-national civil and commercial disputes specialist Sam Stevens, and employment expert Jay Webster are also key names to note in the practice, while Claire van Overdijk KC took silk in 2023.

Practice head(s):

Michael Hanson; Keith Robinson


Other key lawyers:

Matthew Watson; Kyle Masters; Sam Stevens; Jay Webster; Claire van Overdijk KC; Honor Desmond-Tetlow; Ashley Fife


Testimonials

‘Carey Olsen offers client care that is second to none on the island.’

‘Michael Hanson is the most commercially-minded lawyer in Bermuda. He is solution oriented and innovative while providing sound advice.’

‘Keith Robinson is my go-to lawyer in Bermuda – practical, commercial, incredibly hard-working and great fun to work with.’

‘Jay Webster – Jay is responsive, attentive and a great listener. He approaches every matter thoughtfully and with a clear head. He strikes the balance between providing enough information for us to take an informed decision but not too much information, leaving you feeling overwhelmed or unclear. He reads situations (and people) well and has excellent judgment.’

‘The quality of service that we receive is flawless.’

‘The people are pleasant, knowledgeable and have amazing response times.’

‘Ashley Fife – intelligent and knowledgeable and happy to look for new ways.’

‘The dispute resolution team is highly skilled and responsive. The capabilities are broad and deep.’

Key clients

BCT Limited


Annuity & Life Re Limited and Pope Asset Management LLP


Mexico Infrastructure Finance LLC


Fidelity National Title Insurance Company Limited


NewOcean Energy Holdings Ltd


Trump Panama Hotel Management LLC and Trump International Hotels Management, LLC


JetBlue Airways Corporation et al


Alcority Services Limited


Bermuda Electric Light Company Limited


Fortitude Re Limited


Granville Technology Group Limited (In liquidation); VMT Limited (In liquidation); OT Computers Limited (In liquidation)


Work highlights


  • Representing BCT Limited, the trustee appointed as a result of the Court of Appeal decision in February 2021 in relation to a very substantial Bermuda trust matter.
  • Acting for two Plaintiffs, Bermuda and Delaware investment companies, in Bermuda Supreme Court proceedings arising out of alleged breaches of a settlement agreement entered into following a long-running minority shareholder oppression claim that concluded in the Bermuda Court of Appeal.
  • Represented Mexico Infrastructure Finance LLC which was the lender to Par-La-Ville Hotel and Residences Ltd in respect of a failed scheme to develop a hotel in Bermuda.

Conyers

With a ‘pre-eminent position in the marketplace,’ the team at Conyers has an experienced and comprehensive litigation practice, which handles high-profile, multi-national commercial litigation, trust disputes and insolvency matters. Practice chair Christian Luthi offers ‘high-quality legal advice and practical applications’, particularly regarding appraisals, insolvencies, insurance claims and commercial matters. Ben Adamson, a recognised leader in trust litigation, further adds to the team, alongside the ‘masterful, unflappable and strategic Jeffrey Elkinson, who has expertise in trust, insurance and construction litigation. Other key contacts within the firm include insolvency expert and director Rhys Williams, and counsel Jonathan O’Mahony, alongside senior associate Britt Smith, and the ‘super brightJudith Roche.

Practice head(s):

Christian Luthi


Other key lawyers:

Ben Adamson; Jeffrey Elkinson; Rhys Williams; Jonathan O’Mahony; Britt Smith; Judith Roche


Testimonials

‘Conyers is probably the best firm in Bermuda for commercial and chancery type disputes involving companies and trusts.’

‘Christian Luthi, Jonathan O’Mahony and Rhys Williams – Very high-quality legal advice and practical application. Bags of experience, real skill in advocacy, both written and oral. All three are highly recommended.’

‘The Conyers team has a pre-eminent position in the marketplace. It is highly responsive, knowledgeable and practical, with an excellent perspective on developing issues in the offshore world.’

‘Christian Luthi is accessible and insightful. He is highly responsive and engaged on client assignments.’

‘Rhys Williams is developing into a market leader in the restructuring space.’

‘Britt Smith is outstanding, exceptionally hard-working, with a meticulous attention to detail, always delivers.’

‘Ben Adamson – a leader in trust litigation.’

‘Judith Roche – a great litigator and a grafter. Super bright and super reliable.’

Key clients

Seadrill Limited


HSBC


The Bank of N.T. Butterfield & Son Limited


KPMG


E&Y


Viking Cruises


American International Company Limited (AIG)


Bacardi International


Chubb Limited


RenaissanceRe Holdings Ltd


Bermuda Monetary Authority


Work highlights


  • Acting for Seadrill Limited in relation to the restructuring of the third-largest global offshore drilling concern, which entered into Chapter 11 proceedings in the US and initiated parallel winding up proceedings in Bermuda.

Walkers

Described as willing to ‘move heaven and earth to deliver for clients’, the insolvency and dispute practice at Walkers routinely handles a broad range of cross-border contentious proceedings, encompassing insurance, insolvency and commercial litigation. Practice co-head Kevin Taylor frequently takes on cases before the Supreme Court of Bermuda and the Bermuda Court of Appeal, specialising in commercial disputes involving high-value asset recovery work, corporate governance issues and liquidation proceedings. Fellow co-head Peter Dunlop has notable experience in complex insurance arbitrations, often with a multi-jurisdictional dimension. The team also benefits from experienced commercial litigation, insolvency and trusts disputes lawyer Steven White; senior associate Nicholas Howard, who has a strong background in public law and commercial disputes matters; and associate Izabella Arnold, who is noted for her ‘encyclopedic knowledge’.

Practice head(s):

Kevin Taylor; Peter Dunlop


Other key lawyers:

Steven White; Nicholas Howard; Izabella Arnold


Testimonials

‘A strong team across the whole range of capabilities, specialisms and skill sets which collaborates and works well to provide a seamless excellent service to the client.’

‘Peter Dunlop, partner, is a punchy litigator with strong adversarial skills a very good strategic and tactical nous and very sound judgment upon whom clients can rely with confidence.’

‘I have found the Walkers team extremely easy to work with. They are collaborative, quick to volunteer solutions and to take full ownership of matters. They approach the matter in an innovative way, proposing clear strategic thinking and guidance. The team clearly works well together and is able to draw on the wider expertise of the Walkers’ office to support, where needed and in the best interests of the client.’

‘I have worked extensively with Peter Dunlop. He has an impressive and extensive knowledge of the Bermudan litigation procedural rules, is proactive and great to work with. His wide experience of litigation in Bermuda is invaluable when litigating in the Bermudan courts.’

‘Peter Dunlop has been ably supported throughout by Izabella Arnold who is great to work with, performs well above her years and is destined to go onto great things at the Bermudan Bar. Her drafting is exceptional, and she has a complete and encyclopedic knowledge of the file.’

‘Peter Dunlop is an exceptional leader, who is a pleasure to work with and who makes great use of his associates and the people around him. He really builds a team and develops others. I would recommend him to anyone, and be 100% confident they would thank me!’

‘A strong team from top to bottom.’

‘Peter Dunlop and Izabella Arnold are responsive and tactically astute.’

Key clients

Credit Suisse Life (Bermuda)


Alvarez Marsal Asia Limited


Athene Holding Ltd.


BlockFi International Ltd.


CITGO Petroleum Corporation


Bermuda Monetary Authority


Credit Suisse Insurance Linked Strategies Limited


Deloitte Advisory Ltd


EY (Bermuda) Ltd and EY (Cayman) Ltd


Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited (HSBC)


Jewel Bank


Norwegian Cruise Lines


PriceWaterhouseCoopers


Princess Cruise Lines


Shandong Steel


Teneo Bermuda


UNION INTERNATIONALE DES TRANSPORTS ROUTIERS


Work highlights


  • Represented BlockFi International Ltd. in relation to the ongoing restructuring of the BlockFi group of companies being primarily conducted out of the US Chapter 11 proceedings.
  • Advised the joint provisional liquidators of Genting Hong Kong Limited and Dream Cruises Holding Limited on a significant insolvency in the cruise ship industry.
  • Represented Credit Suisse Life (Bermuda) Limited in the appeal of a damages judgment to pay $607m to bank client after the Chief Justice ruled in March 2022 that CSLB had turned a “blind eye” to a convicted fraudster’s misuse of money.

Kennedys

Recognised for its ‘international footprint and robust local insurance practice’, the Kennedys team adeptly manages a wide spectrum of high-stakes, complex disputes spanning contractual, insurance, finance, investment fund, shareholder, and multi-jurisdictional insolvency claims. Leading the practice is Mark Chudleigh, who is renowned for his work in international arbitration and high-value insurance claims, with support from Nick Miles, who is an expert in insolvency and restructuring affairs. The team’s ‘future star’, newly promoted partner Laura Williamson, further bolsters its strength, leveraging her expertise in insurance arbitration and professional liability cases. The team is also fortified by associates David Thom and Alexandra Miller, as well as special counsel Erik Penz; all have extensive experience in managing complex contentious matters, particularly within the insurance, construction and professional services sectors.

Practice head(s):

Mark Chudleigh


Other key lawyers:

Erik Penz; Laura Williamson; David Thom; Nick Miles; Alexandra Miller


Testimonials

‘The team is knowledgeable and thoughtful and has a practical approach to solving problems.’

‘Mark Chudleigh is excellent. He has great knowledge of the law, the optics and the players in almost any scenario.’

‘Mark Chudleigh is a phenomenal litigator with a varied practice and a firm grip on insurance and reinsurance issues. He also arbitrates, which gives him additional exposure to disputes and the inner workings of arbitration panels. Nick Miles is a great attorney who I rely on for regulatory counsel.’

Key clients

Fullsun International Holdings Group Co. Ltd.


Alpine Global Management LLC and associated Alpine entities


Athos Asia Event Driven Master Fund and associated Athos entities


Whitefort Capital Inc.


Norges Bank


Wakefield Securities LLC and associated Elliott entities


FourWorld Event Opportunities LP and associated FourWorld entities


Work highlights


  • Representing Terra Law in a claim arising out of a high-profile failed property development project.
  • Represented the “protector” of the $7–9bn trust settled by a US billionaire in a significant dispute before the Supreme Court and the Court of Appeal of Bermuda. This matter arose out a high-profile tax-evasion scheme.
  • Representing 65 clients, former minority shareholders whose shares in the conglomerate, Jardine Strategic Holdings Ltd, were compulsorily purchased by the majority shareholder.

MJM Limited

MJM Limited‘s ‘hugely responsive’ team handles a comprehensive range of dispute resolution work, both domestically and internationally; the group's expertise encompasses various areas, including commercial litigation, trust litigation, regulatory matters, family proceedings, and human rights litigation. Practice chair Jennifer Haworth is a regular presence in domestic courts and mediation and arbitration proceedings. Fozeia Rana-Fahy, who is recognised as a leader in contentious trusts work and employment immigration claims, provides invaluable support to the practice. The team also benefits from the expertise of human rights specialist Allan Doughty, and security enforcement, banking and contract disputes expert Dan Griffin.

Practice head(s):

Jennifer Haworth


Other key lawyers:

Fozeia Rana-Fahy; Allan Doughty; Dan Griffin


Testimonials

‘Helpful, hugely responsive, no job too big or small.’

‘The MJM team is made up of very talented, experienced lawyers with a diverse background spanning numerous areas of law and sectors of industry. They work as a team to ensure the best and most appropriate resources are assigned to your particular case and situation.’

‘Fozeia Rana-Fahy & Allan Doughty – Both are responsive and thorough in their understanding of your situation and responses to that. Their communication is excellent and well researched and thought out.’

Key clients

Hotel TOC Inc


Ernst & Young as Joint Provisional Liquidators


HSBC Bank Bermuda Ltd


Deloitte


Commissioner of Police (Bermuda)


The P Trusts


Bermuda Civil Aviation Authority


Clarien Bank


Hamilton Trust Company


Work highlights


  • Representing clients in a cross-border contentious trusts and estate dispute worth in excess of $14bn.
  • Acted for the representatives of the variable class of investors in relation to NorthStar Financial Services (Bermuda) Limited and Omnia Limited (in liquidation) particularly on the issue of segregated accounts.
  • Defending parties to a hotel management agreement against a claim by the Trump Organization to impose a New York arbitration award in Bermuda including the set aside of a freezing injunction and the appointment of receivers.

ASW Law Limited

The team at ASW Law Limited handles contentious work ranging from court litigation to international arbitration tribunals, covering a broad spectrum of commercial law with a significant focus on insurance and reinsurance claims. Rod Attride-Stirling, a seasoned international arbitration practitioner, co-heads the practice with Kehinde George, who is a specialist in corporate restructuring and insolvency mandates. Senior counsel Matthew Mason is also noted for litigation, arbitration and insolvency proceedings.

Practice head(s):

Rod Attride-Stirling; Kehinde George


Other key lawyers:

Matthew Mason


Testimonials

‘Involved in the key cases on the island.’

‘Rod Attride-Stirling – one of the Island’s best litigators.’

Key clients

Deloitte Ltd


Bermuda Monetary Authority


SC Liquor, LLC


Cox Hallett Wilkinson Limited

Cox Hallett Wilkinson Limited‘s litigation and dispute resolution team has a notable reputation for handling both domestic and cross-border disputes, frequently representing prominent clients in the insurance, energy and finance sectors. Craig Rothwell, a specialist in civil litigation, heads up the team, with a particular focus on employment and personal injury matters. David Kessaram is also singled out and has expertise in insolvency and restructuring work, insurance disputes, trust claims and hostile takeovers. The team also includes director Kim White and commercial litigation and arbitration expert Tariq Mahmood.

Practice head(s):

Craig Rothwell


Other key lawyers:

David Kessaram; Kim White; Tariq Mahmood


Key clients

CG Insurance


AIG Bermuda


Bermuda Hospitals Board


Freisenbruch-Meyer


KMPG


HWH Reality Holdings LLC


Partner Capital LLC


Information Commissioner


Reliance Globalcom Limited