Lynne Calder

In regulatory disputes there are often fine lines between the usual wrangling with the regulator and something more serious – by matching our mix of experienced contentious and non-contentious lawyers to the particular problem at hand, we achieve better and more efficient outcomes.

As regulatory experts in the British Virgin Islands, the Cayman Islands, Guernsey and Jersey we frequently act on contentious matters and can leverage our experience to help clients achieve the highest regulatory standards and avoid common pitfalls.

We combine pragmatic risk assessment with rigorous legal advice and compliance guidance to reduce exposure and protect reputation, while drawing on our cross-jurisdictional knowledge to design remediation strategies, negotiate with regulators and, where necessary, litigate effectively. 

Our collaborative approach ensures clients receive clear, actionable legal advice that balances regulatory obligations with commercial realities, delivers timely, proportionate solutions and supports remediation plans, helping prevent escalation into more serious enforcement action and preserve business continuity.

Read more

For financially distressed companies in need of restructuring and reorganisation, or for those where the opportunity to do so has passed or failed, we work to achieve the most beneficial outcome in these difficult situations. 

At whatever stage we are engaged, our involvement will assist in identifying the ongoing risks facing a client and to enable that client to continue to identify and effectively manage deteriorating relationships with creditors, financiers, investors or other interested parties.

Read more

Our experienced team represent clients in a range of private, contractual and commercial real estate disputes.

Widely regarded as the preferred advisors for numerous high-net-worth individuals and families, we regularly assist in navigating disputes related to private matters, property (including boundary disputes), trusts, and family issues. 

Our real estate disputes lawyers combine specialist real estate litigation experience with commercial pragmatism to deliver tailored strategies across negotiation, mediation and court proceedings. They provide measured advice on risk, costs and likely outcomes, and protect client interests through proactive case management and evidence gathering, working closely with commercial, tax, trust and family law specialists where disputes intersect.

With offices in Bermuda, the British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Guernsey and Jersey, our real estate disputes team’s practical focus is on achieving durable resolutions that preserve value and client relationships.

Additionally, our arbitration specialists are increasingly being used as a cost-effective, confidential and efficient alternative to court litigation in resolving commercial and construction disputes.

Read more

It is a fact of life that all regulated businesses today face ever increasing pressure in the areas of compliance, regulation and risk management. Not only are our businesses required to comply with regulations and laws imposed within each jurisdiction, we need to be alert to impending changes in the UK, EU and elsewhere which could have an impact on the way we operate.

Read more

We provide contentious and non-contentious advice and support, primarily for local financial services businesses, in complying with sanctions and anti-money laundering regulations. Our work ranges from initial strategic advice, liaison with stakeholders including regulators, clients and investigations and prosecution authorities – to litigation, where required.

We live in an increasingly contentious world. When your business is involved in any kind of legal dispute it's crucial to work with lawyers who are hands-on, cost-effective and flexible enough to respond quickly and intuitively to your unique situation and needs.

Read more

Our multi-jurisdictional team brings a wealth of experience from a range of diverse backgrounds to give quick, accurate, commercial advice. We work across dispute resolution, restructuring, recovery and insolvency matters to ensure that clients get the full benefit of our know-how and experience across the world.

Read more

We are used to working as part of a multi-jurisdictional team, capable of reacting and responding quickly to urgent requests for assistance with locating and freezing assets.

As sophisticated defendants become more adept at dissipating assets, we've been involved in cases that created new law in the Channel Islands in relation to a party's ability to trace assets and recover their losses. With their ability to deal with complex issues, the team deliver clear, commercial advice on the availability and likely success of recovery methods.

With specialists across not only Guernsey and Jersey but also in the British Virgin Islands and Cayman Islands, services provided by our fraud and asset tracing lawyers include:

• Immediate applications for freezing and search orders
• Expedited Norwich Pharmacal order and disclosure proceedings
• Asset-tracing across trust structures and corporate vehicles
• Coordination with criminal and regulatory investigations where overlap exists. 

Our international footprint lets us deliver prompt, all‑round legal support precisely when clients need it most.

Read more

Regulation and legal risk management are placing increasing burdens on companies and businesses in terms of time, costs and resources, and the consequences of getting this wrong can be severe.

We can assist with all regulatory and compliance issues in Jersey, Guernsey, BVI and Cayman including:

• anti-money laundering and proceeds of crime legislation
• FATCA and CRS reporting
• licensing
• economic substance
• beneficial ownership
• sanctions
• tax information exchange requests
• AIFMD

Additionally we can help with regulator investigations and visits, enforcement and remediation including representation before regulators, tribunals committees and courts. We have an excellent record in defending corporates and their directors and officers in regulatory proceedings.

Please view our Regulatory page for more information. 

Read more

The regulatory environment, both in local jurisdictions and internationally, is increasingly complex and regulatory agencies are becoming more zealous in their approach to enforcement and investigations.

We guide clients through the impact of enforcement of investigatory actions by regulatory bodies, offering dedicated strategic advice on a broad range of issues including enforcement notices, governance matters, complaints, insider trading and dealing and market manipulation.

We can also assist clients to conduct internal investigations prior to any regulatory investigations.

We can advise lenders, borrowers and guarantors with regard to:

• the different forms of security that can be taken over assets (including fixed charges or mortgages, liens, pledges)
• assets which can be provided as security
• registration and protection of charges and security
• release of security, waiver, amendment and restatement of facilities
• restructure of debt and securities
• enforcement against assets in the event of a breach (including investigations and pre-emptive steps to take to protect assets, taking possession, foreclosure, set off, appropriation, powers of sale and receivership, and insolvency processes)
• freezing orders and injunctions over secured assets 

When customers or clients do not pay on time, we provide timely and effective advice on recovering debts and enforcing judgments. We help businesses, service providers, lenders and borrowers – including banks, funds, directors, and insolvency practitioners – recover commercial debt swiftly and strategically.

Our services cover court proceedings, arrets, saisies, statutory demands, insolvency proceedings, désastre, realisation, dégrèvement, and enforcement of security interests. We conduct thorough security reviews and advise on pre-emptive measures, ensuring prompt, decisive action with discretion to minimise reputational risk.

We advise on all aspects of breaches of directors’ duties, including allegations of mismanagement, conflicts of interest and breach of fiduciary obligations.

Our offshore disputes lawyers work closely with corporate, regulatory and litigation teams to guide shareholders, directors, companies and financial institutions through complex governance disputes. With experience across multiple jurisdictions, we offer strategic, pragmatic advice tailored to high-stakes and reputationally sensitive matters.

Whether acting in regulatory investigations or shareholder actions, our regulatory disputes lawyers help clients respond confidently to legal and commercial risks in an increasingly regulated and scrutinised environment.

Disputes between directors can threaten the stability and governance of a company. We advise boards, individual directors, shareholders and stakeholders in contentious matters involving boardroom deadlock, removal or appointment of directors and conflicts of interest.

Drawing on our corporate, regulatory and dispute resolution expertise, we provide strategic advice in navigating internal power struggles and fiduciary issues. Our cross-border teams work cohesively to resolve disputes efficiently, protect business continuity and mitigate reputational risk.

Whether acting in private companies, joint ventures or complex corporate structures, we help clients manage director-level disputes with clarity and confidence.

As part of our debt recovery and insolvency services, we assist clients in issuing or responding to statutory demands. Whether enforcing payment or defending against genuinely disputed claims, our involvement helps clarify the legal and financial risks, enabling clients to make informed decisions.

We support effective creditor engagement and help manage escalating disputes, preserving options for resolution or further action.

When debt recovery and demands are ineffective, we assist in preparing and lodging creditors' winding-up applications to achieve an orderly conclusion. We have strong relationships with insolvency practitioners in our offshore jurisdictions and beyond.

We also assist shareholders and directors of companies facing cashflow difficulties. Through early engagement with our network of insolvency professionals, we help to find solutions to minimise risks and maximise returns.

Our approach ensures that the process is conducted efficiently and with minimal disruption, helping clients navigate the legal and commercial risks involved. By intervening early, we support clients in managing stakeholder relationships and fulfilling their obligations with clarity and confidence.

We advise officeholders of overseas companies with assets or operations in our offshore jurisdictions on seeking recognition locally. For offshore companies with foreign operations or assets, we advise officeholders in our offshore jurisdictions on applications to issue letters of request for assistance from foreign courts and for recognition in foreign jurisdictions.

Acting in complex cross-border matters, we help navigate foreign legal systems to protect and recover value. Our experience ensures continued stakeholder confidence and compliance with local obligations, while aligning with the broader restructuring or insolvency strategy.

When acting alongside insolvency officeholders, we pursue claims that maximise recoveries for creditors. Our work supports efforts to investigate, assess and, where appropriate, litigate claims against directors, third parties or others connected with the company.

Whether addressing preferences, transactions at an undervalue or transactions defrauding creditors, misfeasance, wrongful trading or fraudulent trading, unlawful distributions or other breaches of duty, our involvement aims to protect the interests of stakeholders and secure the best possible return in complex, high-stakes scenarios.

For directors facing the risk of disqualification in the context of insolvency, we provide clear, strategic advice to manage exposure and regulatory scrutiny. Whether disqualification proceedings are anticipated or already underway, our involvement supports clients in understanding their position, engaging with authorities and pursuing the most favourable resolution.

Directors are legally obliged to act in good faith, exercise independent judgment, and promote the best interests of the company.

Our offshore regulatory lawyers regularly provide expert legal guidance to directors as to their duties in offshore jurisdictions and corporate governance frameworks, as failure to comply with these expected duties potentially results in significant personal liability for directors.

Our experienced team advises on fiduciary responsibilities, risk mitigation, and regulatory compliance to ensure directors meet their obligations with confidence. Whether you're forming an offshore entity or navigating complex corporate challenges, we can offer trusted, practical solutions tailored to your needs.