The Legal 500

Within Corporate and commercial, Appleby is a second tier firm,

Appleby's Bryan Hunter is the firm's Cayman corporate and commercial head, and Stephen James is leader for the corporate finance team. Recent matters include advising RBS in the restructuring of indebtedness due under credit agreements. The practice also acted on the acquisition by Credit Suisse from Fortis Bank (Nederland) of its business activities in the field of providing services to the alternative investment industry, and represented the issuer in the IPO of Beijing-based Youku.com, the biggest online video company in China. Richard Addlestone and Julian Black are recommended, and Sherice Arman 'goes the extra mile for you'. Simon Raftopoulos and Sabrina Leacock are also experienced practitioners.

Within Dispute resolution, Appleby is a first tier firm,

Appleby fields 'solid advisors who know their subject well'. Highlights included acting in a high profile multibillion-dollar fraud claim, involving 43 defendants and related litigation in at least nine jurisdictions. Litigation and insolvency head Jeremy Walton is 'respected by very experienced clients', Andrew Bolton is the global litigation and insolvency leader, and Graeme Halkerston 'has an understanding both of Cayman Islands law and practice, as well as an intuition for international insolvency principles'. Counsel Robin McMillan is noted for commercial and international dispute resolution, and Carlos de Serpa Pimentel, who is experienced in trust litigation matters, 'delivers very smooth and assured advice'.

Within Insurance/reinsurance , Appleby is a first tier firm,

Appleby's key matters included advising Kane Group on the acquisition of the insurance management business of HSBC in Bermuda and the Cayman Islands, the deal involving a number of key offshore jurisdictions. In contentious matters, the practice advised in an insurance claim pursued by the owners of the Hyatt Regency Grand Cayman Resort, in respect of hurricane damage sustained to the Hyatt premises and consequent business interruption losses. Simon Raftopoulos is recommended.

Within Investment funds, Appleby is a second tier firm,

Fielding 'a responsive team', Appleby advised on the acquisition by Credit Suisse from Fortis Bank (Nederland) of its business activities in the field of providing services to the alternative investment industry, and acted as Cayman Islands legal counsel to Eli Lilly in relation to the establishment of a Cayman Islands fund structure to be used as part of Eli Lilly's investment strategy in China. Bryan Hunter is Cayman funds head, and Richard Addlestone has 'good knowledge'. Sabrina Leacock is also an experienced practitioner.

Within Legal market overview,

For some clients, Maples and Calder is 'without question the best law firm in the Cayman Islands', with international offshore practices Appleby, Conyers Dill & Pearman, Ogier Mourant Ozannes and Walkers all aggressively chasing. Campbells is, overall, the strongest of the local firms, with Solomon Harris also a serious contender.

Within Real estate , Appleby is a first tier firm,

Appleby provides 'exemplary service'. The team advised Barclays Capital Real Estate in relation to the sale of a commercial loan secured over the Grand Cayman's Marriott Hotel. It also acted for Dart Realty and Cayman Shores Development, advising on title structure and preparing all the legal documents for a new town centre in the Cayman Islands, the largest development in the Cayman Islands. Group head Norman Klein is 'knowledgeable and accessible'. Klein has particular expertise in the areas of hotel, condominium and commercial development, financing and restructuring. Sonia Starvis has broad real estate and secured lending experience.

Within Trusts/private client, Appleby is a first tier firm,

Clients directed to Appleby's trusts/private client group are 'very fortunate indeed'. The practice is frequently involved in the jurisdiction's major trust litigations and has an experienced non-contentious trusts advisory capability team. Key matters included advising on behalf of the executor of a deceased Norwegian settlor of a Cayman Islands trust, successfully applying to the Grand Court to remove the trustee of the PB & EB Trusts established by the deceased, and obtaining the appointment of new trustees in an action against the former trustee for breach of fiduciary duty, loss and damage. Widely praised by his peers, Cayman group practice head Carlos de Serpa Pimentel is 'very much at the forefront of Caymanian trust practice'.