Mourant > Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands > Firm Profile

Mourant > The Legal 500 Rankings

Cayman Islands > Banking, finance and capital markets Tier 2

Mourant‘s team of experienced banking and finance lawyers advises leading asset managers and investment banks on a wide range of transactions spanning leveraged finance issues, fund financings, CLOs, securitisations and warehousings. Catherine Pham and Alexandra Woodcock jointly lead the finance team; Woodcock routinely advises leading financial institutions and private fund sponsors on the structuring and execution of finance transactions, while also handling high-profile cross-border restructurings. Senior partner in the corporate and finance practice Neal Lomax is the go-to choice for multinational corporations and international banks, while Ramesh Maharaj's specialism in private equity matters, restructurings and corporate finance transactions further strengthens the practice. Former head Hayden Isbister continues to advise on joint venture arrangements and other corporate deals, such as SPACs, while newly promoted partner Finn Howie navigates complex structured finance transactions and distressed debt restructurings.

Cayman Islands > Corporate and commercial Tier 2

Recognised as ‘very strong in corporate and regulatory capabilities and a known leader on the island’, Mourant regularly advises on a wide range of transactions, including M&A, equity capital markets, and SPACs. Managing partner of the Cayman office Hayden Isbister is known for his in-depth corporate and commercial expertise, and for regularly advising on joint venture arrangements and SPACs, while Neal Lomax‘s wide-ranging corporate and commercial expertise makes him ‘one of the strongest investment fund and M&A lawyers in the Caribbean’. Ramesh Maharaj focuses on corporate transactions including takeovers, take-privates, M&A , joint ventures, SPACs and IPOs, while Catherine Pham leads the Cayman finance, corporate and funds practice.

Cayman Islands > Investment funds Tier 2

The team at Mourant is best known for assisting with launches and structuring and restructuring mandates across a wide range of asset classes – primarily private equity, hedge, credit and distressed funds – and strategies. Since 2022, Catherine Pham, who ‘offers the perfect mix of being excellent technically, super responsive and very personable‘, has headed up the practice, although former group lead Hayden Isbister remains active as a managing partner. Neal Lomax is singled out by clients for the strength of his ‘idea generation to get to the optimal outcome‘.

Cayman Islands > Regulatory and compliance Tier 2

Mourant‘s practice fields a team of experienced lawyers and regulatory and compliance consultants who routinely assist clients with a mixture of contentious and non-contentious mandates as well as providing preventative advice. Dual-qualified (BVI and Cayman) practice head Sara Galletly notably focuses on regulatory developments impacting fund, finance and corporate structures and regulated entities, while Hector Robinson KC is known for handling complex cross-border trust and estate disputes, regulatory investigations, fraud and asset tracing issues, and insolvencies. Alastair Lagrange‘s broad practice spans anti-money laundering and sanctions advice, economic substance matters, and fintech and virtual asset issues.

Cayman Islands > Dispute resolution Tier 3

Mourant provides a comprehensive service on distressed fund disputes, commercial litigation, and insolvency and restructuring matters, while also regularly handling g s.238 valuation disputes. The highly experienced Peter Hayden handles a varied spectrum of contentious issues, regularly appearing before the Grand Court and the Cayman Islands Court of Appeal, while Simon Dickson has considerable experience in fund disputes, insurance-related matters, insolvencies and restructurings. Practice head Nicholas Fox has recently been active in cryptocurrency work, and has led several winding-up petitions involving cryptocurrency investment funds. Hector Robinson KC is the key contact in the practice for contentious private client work, and Jonathan Moffatt is noted for acting in shareholder disputes and liquidations. Insolvency and commercial litigation expert Christopher Harlowe, who divides his time between Cayman and London, is also highly recommended.

Guernsey > Insurance

Mourant‘s insurance offering straddles the firm’s corporate and dispute resolution teams, and is particularly known for its expertise in insurance M&A work, as well as its proficiency in advising on the establishment and operation of insurance companies. Heading the non-contentious aspect of the practice are John Lewis, an insurance and pensions specialist, and regulatory expert Helen Wyatt, who advises both reinsurers and captive insurers. Gordon Dawes handles contentious insurance matters, representing clients in a range of disputes including professional negligence, D&O and coverage matters. Counsel Chantal Barrett acts on contentious matters concerning professional indemnity, D&I and regulatory enforcement. Senior associate Andrew Grant advises insurers on corporate and regulatory issues.