As part of its global offshore support in trusts and private client matters, Appleby assists many of the foremost clients in the market with the spectrum of matters, covering both contentious and non-contentious work. ‘Respected and trusted name in Cayman‘ Carlos De Serpa Pimentel senior trust litigator and international private client lawyer, specialising in Cayman trust disputes. He co-leads the department with Sebastian Said, a key name across dispute resolution. Esmond Brown frequently advises a range of institutional trustees and HNWIs, and is recommended for the ‘formidable team‘ he makes with De Serpa Pimentel. More junior lawyer Jackson Messer adds further support, concentrating on assisting HNWIs and wealthy families with wealth planning.

The trusts and private clients group at Harneys acts for major participants in trusts and estates matters involving the Cayman Islands, encompasses from HNWIs and their families, to commercial clients, including banks, trust companies and advisors. The Cayman team is well versed in international matters and is a strong choice for non-contentious trust matters, as well as trust litigation. Dubbed ‘the ideal private client adviser‘, Henry Mander is one of the leading private wealth clients for Cayman and the BVI. He leads the practice. Jessica Williams, who co-leads the wider litigation practice at the firm, is also a key contact for contentious trusts and private wealth matters, and the ‘creative, commercial and exceptionally bright‘ Charles Moore is routinely engaged in the creation, restructuring, management and termination of complex Cayman trusts. Majdi Beji is a further key figure for non-contentious trusts matters.

Ogier‘s sizeable offering in private wealth includes a dedicated trusts disputes group and is well equipped to assist with all aspects of wealth structuring for succession planning, asset protection, family governance and wills and probate matters. The private wealth team sits within the firm’s cross-jurisdictional trusts advisory group, which covers contentious and non-contentious practice areas and collaborates closely with the firm’s corporate specialists. Rachael Reynolds KC is the lead contact for contentious matters, with Anthony Partridge, ‘a standout lawyer in Cayman‘, the trust advisory group head. Deborah Barker Roye and Ben Harle are also key contacts and both come with client recommendation, and at senior associate level, Jordan Constable lends his support.

Walkers is a renowned name across offshore jurisdictions for its counsel on trusts and private wealth matters, and in Cayman remains a leading choice for entrepreneurs, trustees, family offices, and major businesses. Its broad offering spans trust litigation; investment, relocation and preservation of private wealth; family investment funds; succession planning; and commercial trust and foundation structures. Three lawyers jointly coordinate the department: Philip Paschalides, one of the market's standout advisors to private clients on the financial aspects of cross-border transactions; Monique Bhullar, a leading name in all aspects of private trusts, foundation companies and other wealth and estate planning structures; and Shelley White, whose practice focuses on trust disputes. Another key lawyer is Lucy Diggle, who is regularly instructed on matters involving the settlement, restructuring, ongoing management and termination of Cayman Islands trusts and wealth planning structures. Scott Jones and Philip Aubry provide robust support to the partners. Former senior partner David Pytches retired from practice in early 2024.

Excelling in non-contentious private client matters, Bedell Cristin knits together private wealth, real estate and immigration practices to provide a rounded offering to a client base that includes a considerable number of high-net-worth individuals. The practice is led by 'legendary Cayman trust lawyer' Andrew Miller, whose vast expertise covers the gamut of wealth structuring issues. Daniel Altneu is establishing himself as one of the go-to advisers to UHNW residents moving to Cayman, while Fraser Allister's practice spans STAR and VISTA trusts, foundations, trust companies, and other vehicles. At a more junior level, Sophia McKenzie is a contact to note.

‘Knowledgeable, relatable, and commercial‘ partner Bernadette Carey spearheads the trusts and private wealth practice at Carey Olsen, whose diverse client base regularly look to the team for trust structuring and restructuring, wealth management arrangements, contentious trusts matters, and court applications. Carey has helped grow the firm’s offering in this area across both the Cayman Islands and the BVI; her advisory practice includes succession planning and wealth structuring, as well as general estate planning for the next generation, while on the contentious side she is accomplished in multi-party litigation and arbitration. Graham Stoute maintains a broads trusts practice, and at senior associate level Sarah-Jane Hall was joined by Katie Turney, who was hired from Wedlake Bell LLP in September 2023.

Commended by clients for its 'breath and depth of knowledge', Conyers' private client and trust team acts for individuals, families, and corporate clients, including trustees and private trust companies. Inheritance structuring, private investment structures, and inter-generational asset transfers are all in the wheelhouse of the broad practice, which is led by 'highly astute and knowledgeable lawyer' Robert Lindley. Wesley O’Brien excels in complex cross-border structures and regularly assists with the establishment and reorganisation of trusts and related succession planning structures.

Collas Crill assists with cross-border wealth structuring matters and trust litigation involving Cayman Islands stakeholders, and is particularly well regarded for its knowledge on STAR trust and foundation companies legislation, which the team drafted. Practice head Andrew Peedom has experience in trust litigation before the Privy Council and the Grand Court of the Cayman Islands, and his practice also spans general commercial advisory work. Sally Peedom is the other key figure to note, specialising in both non-contentious and contentious trust disputes and wealth structuring matters.