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.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘Colm Flanagan and Nicholas Dixey are the stand out stars in Nelson. Both are approachable, likeable and extremely competent attorneys. Even though a smaller firm, I send all my contentious property conflict referral work to Colm and I have always been very impressed with his turnaround times and the advice he provides.’

  • ‘Nelsons are an incredibly hard working, well organised and perfectly coherent team unit.’

  • ‘Alice Carver is an absolute star and standout at the firm, as well as in the jurisdiction more generally. She has phenomenal instincts and wisdom beyond her years. An incisive legal mind and a great creativity.'

  • 'John Harris is a great partner, working with real authority and insight.'
  • ‘The breadth of the team’s experience makes Nelsons well placed to deal intelligently and strategically with almost any kind of dispute.’

  • ‘Kate McClymont stands out for her good sense, versatility (well able to handle novel public law challenges as well as commercial and trusts litigation) and first-class skills in dealing with both clients and opponents.’

  • ‘Nelsons are a smaller firm on island but that does not detract from the wealth of talent they have. They are happy to be flexible on their remuneration policies and due to them being usually conflict free have picked up some very interesting pieces of work.’

  • ‘John Harris is a practical no nonsense lawyer who provides excellent on point advice and happily discusses the various options available for any given scenario both good or bad to ensure the client is fully aware.’

Key clients

  • JOLs for Canterbury Securities Ltd. (In Official Liquidation)
  • John Sergides
  • Aubit International
  • National Conservation Council
  • Coe Group Ltd. / Joint Official Liquidators for AIA Group Ltd. (In Official Liquidation)
  • Roderick Harbeck
  • Platinum Partners Value Arbitrage Fund L.P. (In Official Liquidation)
  • Cayman First Insurance Company Limited
  • LM Fund One Ltd.
  • Rubis Cayman Islands Ltd.

Work highlights

  • Acting for the liquidators of Canterbury Securities, with cross-jurisdictional litigation and multiple issues of fraud and diversion of assets.
  • Representing the National Conservation Council in an inter-government dispute regarding Cayman’s environment and its development industry.
  • Acting for the directors of Global Cord Blood Corporation in a just and equitable winding up petition arising from an attempted dissolution of majority shareholder’s shares.

Practice head

The lawyer(s) leading their teams.

Colm Flanagan

Other key lawyers

Alice Carver, John Harris, Kate McClymont