Standing out for its 'impressive strength in depth', Walkers' team in dispute resolution is a go-to for asset recovery, restructuring and insolvency matters of the highest complexity in the jurisdiction. The Grand Cayman office is a key part of the firm's wider international dispute resolution offering, which makes it a strong choice for cross-border cases. As well as having acted in major newsworthy company collapses such as Saad and Abraaj, the team is also adept in other areas of dispute resolution, having acted in standout property litigation cases, as well as grants of injunctive relief. The practice group is overseen by Neil Lupton, one of the jurisdictions foremost cross-border restructuring experts; and Matthew Goucke, who excels in corporate recovery matters. 'One of the brightest minds in the Cayman Islands' Shelley White has extensive experience in complex litigation, trust disputes, and insolvency and restructuring cases, and Rupert Bell maintains a stellar practice in cases stemming from a variety of company collapses. Nick Dunne has a particular focus on fraud and asset recovery, while for cross-border restructurings implemented by way of schemes of arrangement, Fiona MacAdam is a standout contact. Siobhan Sheridan is another example of the team's strength in depth, excelling in cross-border contentious and non-contentious restructuring of Cayman Islands companies and partnerships.

Appleby is counsel of choice to a number of blue-chip clients looking for Cayman Islands representation in sensitive and high-value disputes. The team regularly covers contentious matters across fraud, insolvency, professional liability, funds and cryptocurrencies. Spearheading the practice is Sebastian Said, ‘an excellent advocate and disputes lawyer‘ admired for his strong insolvency advice. In November 2023 the firm recruited Alan Bercow to the team from Stephenson Harwood. He adds expertise in fraud and asset recovery matters. Further key contacts include David Lee, who has niche strength in winding-up proceedings for investment funds, and Andrew Jackson, who regularly acts as sole advocate in commercial proceedings. The team did lose Ulrich Payne, who returned to the UK in November 2023, and Tony Heaver-Wren, who retired in December 2023.

Campbells makes for a robust choice of counsel in any liquidations and related disputes, being well versed in cross-border matters. The practice also covers investment fund litigation, shareholder disputes and Ponzi scheme lawsuits, and winding up petitions. The firm has dispute resolution as a cornerstone practice area and the department is led by Guy Manning, an experienced name across insolvency and restructuring. 'Brilliant litigator' Mark Goodman is also a key name, and Liam Faulkner has been a regular attorney at the Grand Court of the Cayman Islands in recent years. One client singles out Paul Kennedy as a 'respected thought leader in the field of insolvency and asset recovery', while in both international arbitration and commercial litigation, Andrew Pullinger remains a contact to note. For just and equitable winding up cases, Guy Cowan stands out, and both Nienke Lillington and Harry Shaw encapsulate the strength in depth of the office in this area.

Carey Olsen is a well regarded name across insolvency and related dispute resolution globally, its Cayman office playing a key role in multi-jurisdictional matters, often working closely with the firm’s substantial teams of litigators in Singapore and Hong Kong. Matters routinely handled by the practice include big ticket liquidations, trust and estate disputes, fraud claims, and a range of commercial litigation. Sam Dawson leads the team and is described by one client as a ‘disarming litigator‘. He is particularly strong in financial services cases. ‘Excellent lawyer‘ Denis Olarou is another client favourite, and Peter Sherwood remains a go-to contact for insolvencies. The ‘extremely knowledgeable and experienced‘ Bernadette Carey is a further name to note, while support on financial services disputes comes from Nigel Smith.

Conyers‘ ‘excellent dispute resolution team in the Cayman Islands‘ remains a strong choice for a plethora of high-value and cross-border disputes, including the range of insolvency and restructuring matters, but also encompassing regulatory, fintech and employment disputes. Jointly leading the team are Erik Bodden, whose recent work has included notable cases before the Privy Council, Cayman Islands Court of Appeal and the Grand Court; and Jonathon Milne, frequent counsel to clients in high-value liquidations. Spencer Vickers is a more junior partner to note, while Alecia Johns is recommended as ‘a very talented lawyer, with very strong academic, legal and technical skills‘.

Maples Group‘s contentious offering in the Cayman Islands is regarded as being ‘at the forefront of developments in insolvency and restructuring‘, excelling in all fallout of high-profile insolvencies, as well as supporting on contentious restructuring, investment fund disputes, and fraud and asset tracing cases. Co-leader of the department James Eldridge specialises in insolvency-related issues and regularly represents financial institutions, investors and insolvency officeholders. Fellow practice co-head Caroline Moran ‘is an exceptional operator‘ and advises on all aspects of cross border and domestic insolvency and restructuring issues. Nick Herrod is another key figure, his recent matters include advice on Cayman Islands issues arising from Seadrill’s, NAC DAC’s, Avianca’s and Katerra’s US Chapter 11 proceedings. Malachi Sweetman adds large scale commercial litigation experience, and Quentin Cregan is strong on a range of finance sector dispute resolution. Christian La-Roda Thomas is another name to note, and both Justin Naidu and Luke Armitage stand out as support to the partners.

The sizeable dispute resolution offering at Ogier is a particularly strong choice for restructuring and insolvency, fraud and asset recovery, and s.238 shareholder appraisal disputes. A trio of lawyers share leadership responsibilities of the group: Marc Kish, the firm’s global head of dispute resolution who is well versed in international insolvency, restructuring and financial services disputes, large-scale fraud cases, and asset tracing claims; Jennifer Fox, who draws on two decades of experience, including 15 years on the ground in the Cayman Islands; and Rachael Reynolds KC, a standout in contentious trust matters. Deborah Barker Roye was promoted to the partnership in 2024 and specialises in contentious trusts and estate matters, and Christopher Levers is a further name to note in restructuring, insolvency, and general commercial litigation. Gemma Bellfield is also a young partner with a strong contentious restructuring and insolvency practice, and at managing associate level Farrah Sbaiti stands out.

'Dynamic, collaborative and experts in their field', the dispute resolution practice at Collas Crill acts in a range of contentious matters, standing out particularly for s.238 merger appraisal litigation, an area in which one client contends it 'has the leading practice'. Cross-border insolvency and fraud cases are further strengths. Stephen Leontsinis co-leads the practice group and acts for a broad client base. Alongside him, Rocco Cecere oversees insolvency, corporate disputes, and merger appraisal litigation subgroups. Matthew Dors is strong in cases involving Cayman and US concurrent insolvency, bankruptcy and receivership proceedings, while Zachary Hoskin is another merger appraisal litigation expert to note. Annalisa Shibli is an up and coming figure in commercial litigation, insolvency and restructuring. Jennifer Colegate departed the firm in June 2024.

Restructurings, insolvencies, and litigation arising therefrom are the main focus of Harneys‘ dispute resolution practice, which is adept in multi-jurisdictional cases, particularly those involving Chinese businesses. The practice also has a broader offering spanning commercial litigation, including allegations of fraud, and shareholder disputes. Jessica Williams is an experienced litigator whose practice focuses on insolvency and restructuring and contentious trusts. She co-leads the department with Ben Hobden, who joined the firm in September 2023 and has a track record in major restructurings and worked on the Abraaj litigation. Nick Hoffman has a longstanding Cayman Islands practice and has been involved in a large number of the high profile matters involving Asian companies. Gráinne King is a younger partner to note.

Nicholas Fox heads the dispute resolution offering at Mourant, which has a strong track record in major litigation in Cayman, its core practice focusing on distressed fund disputes, commercial litigation, insolvency and restructuring, contentious regulatory matters, and ITPC. Fox is a noted litigator in the jurisdiction and his recent work has included family business disputes, major liquidations, and contested winding up proceedings. Vastly experienced commercial litigator Peter Hayden is a further key contact, and ‘outstanding lawyer‘ Simon Dickson draws on his experience practicing on the islands since 2002. Another senior figure key to the department is Hector Robinson KC, and Jonathan Moffatt adds depth across commercial litigation, shareholder disputes and liquidations.

Clients of the dispute resolution practice at Bedell Cristin include some of the biggest companies with operations in the Cayman Islands, as well as major international law firms requiring on-island counsel on behalf of their clients. Laura Hatfield leads the team and is well versed in assisting a variety of corporate clients and individuals, focusing on commercial litigation, insolvency and restructuring, as well as regulatory matters. Kai McGriele comes with strong client recommendation and he has a particular focus on insolvency and restructuring of Cayman Islands based hedge funds, as well as other investment vehicles. Richard Parry is a key contact for clients from the financial services and high-end real estate markets.

Specialist litigation and insolvency boutique Broadhurst LLC regularly acts in local and international disputes, instructed by multinational institutions, HNWIs, creditors, debtors, shareholders, liquidators, and receivers. At the helm of the practice, managing partner Kyle Broadhurst has more than two decades practicing in the Cayman Islands and his expertise spans insolvency, bankruptcy, fraud, judgment enforcement, and trust and commercial disputes. He co-leads with Ian Lambert, who has a focus on the financial services sector. Richard Parrish is another key name across insolvency, restructuring and general corporate litigation, and Kate Murray joined as associate in February 2024.

Christopher Young spearheads the dispute resolution department at Forbes Hare, which routinely handles international matters, covering insolvency and restructuring, as well as commercial, corporate and investment fund disputes. Young has over 20 years’ experience in offshore work in complex funds, trust and company litigation, and related corporate insolvency matters. Alistair Abbott has experience leading investment fund disputes, and Paul Smith was a strong addition to the team from Harneys in January 2024, bolstering the firm’s litigation, insolvency, arbitration and regulatory offerings. Fleur O’Driscoll, who divides her time between the Cayman and Hong Kong offices, is a further key name, and Sarah McLennan supports on insolvency and restructuring.

'Distinguished by its approachability and prompt, clear advice', McGrath Tonner fields a team in the Cayman Islands that has experience at every level of court, including the Privy Council. The practice draws work from other firms across the UK, US, the Middle East and Hong Kong that are looking for assistance with Cayman Islands elements of cases. Ben Tonner KC is an experienced litigator and his expertise spans insolvency, administrative litigation, investment services disputes, and white-collar crime, among other areas. He co-leads the department with David McGrath, who excels in matters of white-collar crime and fraud, as well as maintaining a strong contentious practice acting for HNWIs. Sally Bowler can be noted for insolvency, asset-tracing and enforcement, shareholder disputes, and funds litigation; and Reece Jones adds additional support to the team on the range of matters.

Claritas added counsels Alexia Adda and Mark Burrows in September 2023 and May 2024, respectively, to bolster the team led by Katie Pearson that specialises in litigation and regulatory law. Clients see the firm as ‘a fantastic alternative to the more established firms‘; the team displaying particular strengths in fraud cases, asset tracing work and shareholder disputes.

Nelsons excels in disputes related to financial services, investment funds, and trusts, as well as acting in liquidations and general commercial, civil and family litigation. Experienced litigator Colm Flanagan heads the team. His broad range of specialisms include insolvency, contractual, shareholder and trust disputes, cases involving breach of trust and fiduciary duties, and conflicts in the insurance space. Kate McClymont is 'well able to handle novel public law challenges as well as commercial and trusts litigation', and Alice Carver is experienced as sole or primary counsel at all court levels. Amanda Minto acts for HNWI families, drawing on experience at the family law Bar in England and Wales.

In dispute resolution, Priestleys fields a ‘tightly focussed practice with a high degree of technical expertise‘ that stands out in the market for cases involving the PRC and Hong Kong, as well as contentious public law issues. The team is also well versed in insolvency litigation and cross-border bankruptcy claims. Guy Dilliway-Parry heads the department and his work includes international disputes between shareholders of major companies, multi-national trust disputes, contractual disputes involving Hong Kong listed companies, and contentious insolvencies. Rachel Kelly has experience acting for banks and financial institutions, and Nikue Assarpour comes with client recommendation.