Trusts/private client in Cayman Islands

Appleby

With an extensive network of global offices, Appleby houses a team of seasoned practitioners who regularly advise on both contentious and non-contentious trust matters. Head of the practice Carlos de Serpa Pimentel is noted for his expertise in trust disputes and  contentious estate and probate matters, while Sebastian Said focuses on trust litigation, regularly appearing before the Cayman courts. The team also fields counsel Esmond Brown, who acts on behalf of a broad range of institutional trustees, high-net-worth individuals and other office holders on the establishment and administration of trusts, while also advising BVI-based clients including trustees and beneficiaries of trusts.

Practice head(s):

Carlos de Serpa Pimentel


Other key lawyers:

Esmond Brown; Sebastian Said


Testimonials

‘The team at Appleby are well established, stable and respected on the island.’

‘Able, sensible lawyers, and a pleasure to work with.’

‘Carlos de Serpa Pimentel – very experienced, always remains calm and measured; a reassuring presence for clients. Esmond Brown – sensible and thoughtful.’

‘Esmond Brown is knowledgeable, pragmatic and personable and a pleasure to work with. Carlos de Serpa Pimentel has many years experience advising families and trustees which becomes apparent on each and every matter.’

Key clients

Cayman Islands Chamber of Commerce Pension Trustees


Constellation Group Restructuring


Work highlights


  • Advised the Cayman Islands Chamber of Commerce as trustee of the Chamber’s Pension Plan for all employee’s resident in the Cayman Islands.
  • Advised Constellation Group Restructuring on the establishment of a Cayman STAR Trust, which was to hold certain interests and benefits pending satisfaction of certain conditions and obligations as part of the restructuring.

Harneys

Fielding a 'knowledgeable, experienced team of practitioners who are extremely pragmatic in their approach', Harneys is known for providing comprehensive advice to trust companies, banks, high-net-worth individuals and families on a range of non-contentious and contentious trust matters involving STAR trusts, private trust companies, charitable trusts and foundation companies. ‘Experienced trust practitionerHenry Mander chairs the team and notably advises a wide international client base on non-contentious matters. Charles Moore is noted for his ‘wisdom and pragmatism’ in handling contentious and non-contentious trust matters alike, while Jessica Williams prominently appears in significant cross-border trust disputes. Highly valued by a range of Middle Eastern clients, Majdi Beji‘s expertise lies in non-contentious private wealth matters.

Practice head(s):

Henry Mander


Other key lawyers:

Charles Moore; Jessica Williams; Majdi Beji


Testimonials

‘A knowledgeable, experienced team of practitioners who are extremely pragmatic in their approach. Their approach to potential trust litigation is to try to find a solution first of all, rather than charging in.’

‘We rate Charles Moore very highly for his wisdom and pragmatism. Henry Mander is a very experienced trust practitioner.’

 ‘The Harneys private client/trust team is client centred. The team takes the time to understand the needs and concerns of the client. The team is approachable, practical and always available.’

‘The Harneys team is collaborative, communicative and very responsive. Charles Moore is the partner that we work with most often and he is an excellent business partner who takes the time to understand the client’s engagement and concerns. The advice provided is always well informed and considered and the partners are proactive in connecting clients with other subject matter experts that support their needs.’

‘The team in Cayman is very strong and garnering increasingly stellar reviews both locally and internationally. It is equally effective in contentious and non-contentious work, approaching both with a dedication to the interests of their clients that is exemplary.’

‘Henry Mander and Charles Moore make a formidable team. Henry is a pre-eminent private client lawyer, very much respected, quite rightly, as a clever and measured partner of wide experience. Charles is gaining plaudits for his litigation work in particular in which his commitment really shines through.’

‘Charles Moore goes out of his way to assist, is a pleasure to work with and explains complex issues with ease. Henry Mander is always available, provides practical advice and excellent solutions.’

‘The outstanding team members I have had the pleasure of working with are Charles Moore, Henry Mander and Majdi Beji.’

Ogier

Widely recognised as a ‘proactive and solution-focused team‘ with expertise across both non-contentious and contentious work, Ogier‘s team routinely represents trustees, beneficiaries, settlors, protectors and enforcers in high-value international trust and estate disputes, including breach of trust, forced heirship and rectification claims. The practice is jointly led by ‘Cayman’s star trust lawyer and litigatorRachael Reynolds KC, and the ‘talentedAnthony Partridge, whose practice focuses on non-contentious and semi-contentious private trust and estate matters. Litigator Jennifer Fox excels in private client litigation, fraud and asset recovery work, and fund-related claims, while Christopher Levers handles claims involving fraud and breach of duty. Contentious trusts expert Deborah Barker Roye and Gregory Haddow, who advises on wealth structuring issues, are also noted.

Practice head(s):

Rachael Reynolds KC; Anthony Partridge


Other key lawyers:

Jennifer Fox; Christopher Levers; Deborah Barker Roye; Gregory Haddow


Testimonials

‘The multi-discipline practice allows a client to get one-shop treatment in multiple jurisdictions if required. The teams work well together and the flow from partner to partner is seamless.’

‘Rachael Reynolds KC is Cayman’s star trust lawyer and litigator, whose reputation extends far beyond the shores of the Islands. In a major trust matter there will be a rush to her door before one of the other parties instructs her. Anthony Partridge is a talented trust lawyer and delight to work with. He and Rachael make up an impressive duo. Jennifer Fox also impresses in the private client sphere, as does Deborah Barker Roye.’

‘Proactive and solution focused team. In depth understanding of service provider needs and challenges to arising issues.’

‘I mainly work with Anthony Partridge who is excellent with his clients both at explaining complex issues and putting them at ease as to why the plan may be effective for them. He is also very timely in his response and available for questions as needed..’

‘Christopher Levers is very client focused and responsive. He is a pleasure to work with.’

‘An exceptional team which benefits from the integrated and international approach of Ogier’s global organisation of its practice (which is a very joined up approach). Having Rachael Reynolds KC, Senior Partner, heading the practice makes it stand out in the Cayman firmament.’

‘Anthony Partridge and Gregory Haddow are the leading lights of the non-contentious private client team at Ogier – they work superbly together with Anthony as partner using his deep knowledge of Cayman backed up by Gregory’s excellent client first approach.’

‘Between Anthony Partridge on the non-contentious side and Rachael Reynolds KC on the contentious, they have two of the best in each field in Cayman. They are certainly our first call for both non-contentious and contentious situations. They are very approachable and give excellent practical advice.’

Work highlights


  • Acted for an institutional trustee, and working alongside the family office, in a large trust restructuring in Cayman, involving the restructuring of multiple trusts.

Walkers

Fielding a multi-jurisdictional team of expert lawyers, Walkers is a key choice for entrepreneurs, trustees, family offices and businesses seeking advice on trust litigation, relocations, family investment funds and succession planning with respect to digital assets. Cayman and BVI trusts and succession law specialist David Pytches leads the practice together with Monique Bhullar, who is noted for her expertise in complex commercial STAR trusts, securitisation trusts, and employee benefit trusts; Shelley White, who is a specialist in complex multi-jurisdictional disputes; and Philip Paschalides, who notably focuses on cross-border transactions and relocations for ultra-high-net-worth individuals and families. Newly promoted partner Lucy Diggle regularly advises on the restructuring, management and termination of trusts, while cross-border trust litigation expert Daisy Boulter is also recommended.

Practice head(s):

David Pytches; Philip Paschalides; Monique Bhullar; Shelley White


Other key lawyers:

Daisy Boulter; Lucy Diggle


Testimonials

‘The only team on Island that can move seamlessly between private client and transactional matters while remaining superb in all areas.’

‘David Pytches is an industry leading adviser whose perspective, intellectual capacity and attention to clients and the information shared enables him to get the advice and approach right first time and instils confidence from the outset.’

‘Shelley White and her team were not only very close on the case and the strategic planning but were also able to deliver in tough situations with lots of tail wind. Always took the right decision at crucial junctions.’

‘Shelley White and Daisy Boulter are not only very experienced attorneys but also highly strategic. Easy to work together with and very fast thinking.’

Key clients

Butterfield Trust


CIBC


Highvern


Intertrust


Rawlinson & Hunter


Zedra


Grant Thornton, Saad Investments Company Limited (In Official Liquidation) and Singularis Holdings Limited (In Official Liquidation)


Bessemer Trust Company (Cayman) Limited


Saffery Champness


Bedell Cristin

Bedell Cristin's 'incredibly responsive, clever and capable' practice regularly advises clients on non-contentious, high-value and complex trust matters. Praised for its ‘sensible and efficient approach’, the team is led by Andrew Miller, who is noted for his expertise in wealth structuring issues, advising individuals and financial institutions; he is regarded as the ‘go-to lawyer for any trust related legal matters under the laws of Cayman Islands’. Dual-qualified Fraser Allister focuses on STAR trusts and VISTA trusts, while newly promoted partner Daniel Altneu is highly regarded for his ‘tremendous understanding of Cayman law’, especially in the residency and high-net-worth immigration arena.

Practice head(s):

Andrew Miller


Other key lawyers:

Fraser Allister; Daniel Altneu


Testimonials

‘Bedell Cristin is very responsive and able to quickly understand the needs of a client and provide the best route forward. They understand the value of customer service.’

‘The trust team is led by Andrew Miller who has an outstanding reputation both in the local market and internationally, his analysis and commentary on the trust industry is second to none. Fraser Allister is always available to us when we have a query, quick to respond and always clear with his analysis.’

‘Daniel Altneu is beyond responsive and has a tremendous understanding of Cayman law, allowing him to provide exceptional service and solutions to clients. He is very loved by his clients and industry partners.’

‘Andrew Miller and Fraser Allister are knowledgeable, experienced, responsive and user-friendly.’

‘Andrew Miller is second to none – he has excellent connections, amazing legal knowledge and ability to apply this practically and commerically to the advice provided. He is a genuinely wonderful individual who will go out of this way to help in any way.’

‘Fraser Allister provides succinct and incredibly practical advice and has been very helpful particularly on regulatory matters. He has a great personality as well.’

‘Andrew Miller is a first class legal practitioner, what he doesn’t know about Cayman trust law isn’t worth knowing. He is at the heart of all things trusts/private client, and an absolute delight to work with.’

‘Andrew Miller and Fraser Allister are clearly technically excellent but they both have a good dollop of commerciality about their advice. No standing on ceremony. needing to be professorial. no combative behaviour – just good, solid and commercial legal advice.’

Carey Olsen

Carey Olsen’s team is equipped to advise a varied client base including high-net-worth and ultra-high-net-worth clients on trust structuring and restructuring issues, wealth management arrangements, contentious trusts matters and court applications. Praised as a ‘shining light within the industry’, Bernadette Carey leads the practice and routinely advises on both non-contentious and contentious matters, including cross-border, multi-party litigation and high-profile trust disputes before the Grand Court of the Cayman Islands. On the non-contentious side, Cayman and BVI-qualified Graham Stoute is noted for his knowledge of STAR and VISTA trusts, private trust companies, commercial trust arrangements and charitable trusts; and with expertise in advising founders in the fintech and crypto space using trusts and foundation companies on digital assets, Chris Duncan is also highly recommended.

Practice head(s):

Bernadette Carey


Other key lawyers:

Graham Stoute; Chris Duncan


Testimonials

‘Carey Olsen are market disrupters, looking to do things differently. This has helped them attract and keep the best talent. Fantastically innovative and a pleasure to work with.’

‘Bernadette Carey is a shining light within the industry. One of the stand-outs, remarkably impressive. Hard working, engaged, responsive, available, motivated. Truly a fantastic lawyer.’

‘Chris Duncan has an excellent reputation, and is a pleasure to deal with. He has forged a niche within the crypto sphere. He is a future leader. Responsive, available, helpful.’

‘Bernadette Carey – outstanding private client litigator.’

Conyers

Led by Robert Lindley, Conyers’ private client and trust team advises on a wide range of non-contentious and contentious trust matters ranging from inheritance structuring issues and inter-generational asset transfers to relocations and providing structuring advice for the holding of cryptocurrencies, tokens and virtual assets. On the contentious side, the team is regularly involved in multi-party court applications with a cross-border element, notably focused on the Latin American markets. Counsel Wesley O’Brien is noted for his expertise in cross-border structures and is regularly sought out by clients for advice on the establishment and reorganisation of trusts and the related succession planning structures.

Practice head(s):

Robert Lindley


Other key lawyers:

Wesley O’Brien


Testimonials

‘Excellent team, very sound advice!’

‘Always get good advice in a timely manner.’

‘Robert Lindley is an excellent lawyer who is practical and is able to come up with solutions for clients in difficult circumstances. He is ably supported by Wesley O’Brien.’

‘Robert Lindley is an outstanding lawyer who thinks out of the box and is very solution oriented.’

‘Conyers have the knack of successfully navigating through some of our most challenging situations.’

‘Robert Lindley and Wesley O’Brien complement each other expertly as trusted legal advisers.’

Work highlights


  • Advised beneficiaries in respect of Cayman litigation before the Court of Appeal and Privy Council relating to the trustee’s funding arrangements.
  • Advised a family office for an ultra-high-net-worth family on trust structuring and family governance.
  • Advised the trustee of a Cayman trust in relation to disclosure requests and a complex restructuring of the trust and its underlying corporate structure, including navigating tax and family governance issues.

Collas Crill

Collas Crill‘s private client and trusts team handles complex trust litigation work and high-value cross-border wealth structuring matters. The practice is chaired by Andrew Peedom, whose expertise spans trust litigation before the Privy Council and the Grand Court of the Cayman Islands and general commercial advisory work. Senior associate Sally Peedom acts for institutional trustees and high-net-worth individuals, including clients from the Bahamas, Switzerland, and the UK.

Practice head(s):

Andrew Peedom


Other key lawyers:

Sally Peedom


Testimonials

‘The team is capable, highly prepared and knowledgeable about the relevant issues. They are effective and respond very quickly.’

‘Andrew Peedom and Sally Peedom are excellent. They know the subjects, they are extremely capable and their treatment is impeccable.’

‘A strong team in Cayman gaining an excellent reputation locally and internationally. Also has the assistance of the teams in other Collas Crill offices which means its offering can span several jurisdictions as required.’

Key clients

Hugill & Ip


Taylor Wessing LLP


Aleman, Cordero, Galindo & Lee (and its fiduciary)


Crowe Mexico


Cayman National Corporation


Enyo Law LLP


Sterling Trust (Cayman) Limited


The R&H Trust Co. Ltd


Trident Trust Company (Cayman) Limited


Zedra Trust Company (Cayman) Limited


Zedra Trust Company (Suisse) SA


Jasmine Trustees Limited


Work highlights


  • Advised a former billionaire and family members in respect of a claim in excess of $500m asserted against Cayman trust assets of which they are the settlor and beneficiaries, allegations of fraud and joinder of the trustee to English High Court proceedings brought by two Russian banks.
  • Established a $470m philanthropic STAR trust for an ultra-high-net-worth US family.
  • Restructured a $50m Cayman trust with US domiciled beneficiaries including constituting a Family Committee and underlying corporate entities for the two branches of the family.