Matt Roberts > Maples Group > Hong Kong, Hong Kong > Lawyer Profile

A well-established presence in Asia through its Hong Kong and Singapore offices and also noted for its collaborative approach with colleagues through its global network, Maples Group provides ‘responsive, commercial and knowledgeable’ advice on Cayman Isles and BVI laws across a broad range of transactional and litigation work. Under the guidance of Matt Roberts corporate and securities work has always been a strength and despite the relatively difficult economic conditions, the firm continues to pick up a high proportion of capital markets work. As well as Roberts himself, the ‘very knowledgeable and experienced’ Derrick Kan also excels in handling issuer HKSE-listed IPOs, both in the context of conventional issuances and SPAC matters. As well as advising on new money mandates, the firm has also been at the forefront of restructuring/insolvency work within the beleaguered Chinese real estate market, with leading litigator Nick Stern picking up both debtor and creditor roles in relation to the three Cayman Islands schemes of arrangement that were implemented by PRC real estate companies in 2022. Aisling Dwyer has also been involved in the aforementioned real estate-related insolvency matters leveraging her wide-ranging litigation skills that are also regularly brought to bear on high-profile shareholder disputes. Open and closed end funds, including hedge funds, private equity and venture capital, real estate and infrastructure funds. Other recommended practitioners include John Trehey, who heads up the overarching dispute resolution and insolvency group in Asia; the ‘fantastic’ Ann Ng for investment fund work; and Josie Ainley in relation to fund formation as well as subsequent downstream transactional work.

Working collaboratively with team’s in the BVI, the Cayman Islands, London, Dubai and Dublin, Maples Group has a long-established reputation for servicing multinational clients on their investments in Asia, as well as Asia-based clients on their overseas investments. Providing the full spectrum of legal services, the practice is particularly well noted for its expertise advising on corporate, finance, insolvency, funds and investments, and dispute resolution issues. Michael Gagie is a leading figure and heads the BVI law practice, specialising in downstream PE, corporate, commercial, and banking and structured finance work. Head of the Asia corporate offering, Matt Roberts focuses on advising financial institutions, asset managers, and publicly listed and private companies. Nick Harrold is particularly adept regarding Japanese-related investments, while Iain Anderson caters to a broad range of PE and hedge funds, boutique managers, smaller start-up funds and investee companies.