Cox Hallett Wilkinson Limited

Cox Hallett Wilkinson Limited (“CHW”) is one of Bermuda’s leading commercial law firms and provides an extensive range of legal services to a diverse local and international clientele, focusing primarily on corporate and commercial, litigation and dispute resolution, private client, estate planning, real estate and intellectual property related matters in a practical, cost effective and timely manner. Our business approach is to provide a high standard of professional advice delivered by a core team of attorneys and to develop close working and, in many cases, long-standing relationships with our clients and overseas counsel around the globe.

Networks: CHW is a member of the Meritas international law firm network, a global alliance of more than 183 independent law firms spanning over 86 countries. Meritas members provide high quality legal services worldwide and work together to provide clients with a local legal partner with in depth international resources.

Main areas of practice
Corporate and commercial: CHW’s corporate and commercial department is presently recognised as one of the leading corporate and commercial practices in Bermuda. Our attorneys have developed a broad corporate skill set and together we advise on a wide range of matters, including:

• mergers and acquisitions of public and private companies
• IPO’s and public company fund raisings
• structured financing and private equity
• the establishment, operation and regulation of insurance and reinsurance companies
• corporate governance and regulatory issues
• the formation, listing and regulation of investment funds
• Pension trust funds
• share option schemes
• global restructuring projects involving Bermuda entities, both private and public
• banking and asset financing, including aviation and shipping finance
• the registration of aircraft and shipping vessels in Bermuda
• the incorporation of Bermuda companies and the formation of limited liability companies, purposes trusts, partnerships and the registration of overseas partnerships.

Litigation: CHW has one of the leading litigation practices in Bermuda led by experienced advocates with between 20-40 years experience at the Bermuda Bar and supported by a talented team of senior associates and associates. The department is equally adept at servicing high-net-worth individuals, directors, shareholders, and companies globally and locally whilst also facilitating important access to justice. The department prides itself on client service; cost efficiency; and providing effective strategic advice that achieves positive results. The attorneys in CHW’s litigation team have specialised experience in the following areas:

• trust matters including disputes between beneficiaries and/or with the trustees (eg removal of trustees or breach of trust actions) and variation or setting aside of trust settlements
• contractual, investment and shareholder disputes, including of a cross-border nature
• contentious probate
• directors and officers liability suits
• insurance/re-insurance disputes
• insolvency and restructuring
• professional malpractice matters
• banking including in respect of mortgages, loan facilities and guarantees
• employment law
• personal injury matters
• family and matrimonial law including divorce, children and financial matters
• landlord and tenant disputes
• construction disputes.

CHW’s litigation attorneys have provided expert evidence as to Bermuda law in foreign proceedings, working closely alongside foreign counsel, and also act in mediation and arbitration matters either as advocates or as a nominated or sole arbitrator.

Private client and real estate: CHW’s private client attorneys advise on a range of commercial and residential real estate transactions, offering advice on all aspects of freehold and leasehold property matters, acquisitions and sale of commercial and residential property.

Our private client attorneys also advise on matters including

• estate planning and general estate advice
• formation of special purpose trusts, pension plan trusts, charitable and other trust structures
• trust management and administration
• wills and probate matters.

Coson Corporate Services Limited: Its affiliated company, Coson Corporate Services Limited (“Coson”), a licensed corporate service provider regulated by the Bermuda Monetary Authority, provides corporate administration services to a variety of local and exempted companies, including those in the insurance, reinsurance, mutual funds, investment holdings, international trade, shipping and aviation industries. Coson also offers a full range of administrative services to local and exempted partnerships and LLCs established in Bermuda.

State House Trust Company Limited: CHW is also affiliated with State House Trust Company Limited, a licensed trust company regulated by the Bermuda Monetary Authority, providing trustee and related private client services including:

• acting as trustee of trusts
• acting as executor and trustee of wills
• implementation of international estate planning and management of family assets
• administration of private trust companies.