Maples Group‘s team of highly experienced practitioners routinely handles complex cross-border litigation, representing clients in high-profile insolvencies, investment fund disputes, fraud and asset tracing cases, and contentious restructurings. James Eldridge’s ‘unmatched legal knowledge in both litigation and contentious non-litigation restructurings’ is sought out by financial institutions, investors and insolvency officeholders, while Caroline Moran is a seasoned litigator who regularly advises debtors and key stakeholders in financially distressed circumstances and handles financial services disputes; the pair jointly lead the practice. Luke Stockdale is noted for his expertise in fraud and asset tracing issues, shareholder disputes and arbitration proceedings, while Nick Herrod ’excels at complex fund and structured finance restructurings’. Quentin Cregan‘s ’very good tactical judgement’ is evidenced in his work, which has spanned high-profile fund disputes and winding-up proceedings, SPAC disputes, and crypto-related asset seizures. Of counsel Malachi Sweetman and associate Tiana Ritchie are also key players in the insolvency and restructuring area, while Adam Huckle has been active in several notable cross-border restructurings.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

‘The disputes resolution practice as a whole from top to bottom is extremely knowledgeable. The group has strong leaders and impressive up and coming members. Collectively they are one of the best, if not the best, in the Cayman Islands.’
‘James Eldridge - best restructuring lawyer in Cayman. A tenacious bulldog - aggressive and experienced, with unmatched legal knowledge in both litigation and contentious non-litigation restructurings. Works hard to find the best solution for his clients without fighting if possible, but absolutely unafraid to litigate if that's required to vindicate his client's interests. James is one of the best.'
‘Caroline Moran - Very knowledgeable. Great communicator.'
'Malachi Sweetman - Very knowledgeable. Up and coming star.’
'Nick Herrod - an excellent lawyer, with significant structured finance expertise. Great to work with on the range of restructurings, but really excels at complex fund or structured finance restructurings. Very hard worker and very knowledgeable, both as to the law and the practical commercial issues that arise in every restructuring.'
‘The Maples team has gone from strength to strength in recent years, certainly mixing it with the top boutique BVI outfits now.’
'Tiana Ritchie stands out as an associate in the group and she is definitely on the "up and coming" list. Very knowledgeable and responsive, works hard and supports the team effectively. We enjoy working with her and think she has a bright future.’
‘Quentin Cregan provides digestible, reasoned and sound advice. Attention to detail is impeccable and knowledge of law and surrounding areas is solid.’

Key clients

China Evergrande Group
Rockley Photonics Holdings Limited
Uphold Ltd
Pioneer Merger Corp.
VPC Impact Acquisition Holdings II
Traded Life Policies Fun
Cowan v Equis Special LP
New Silk Route Advisors LP

Work highlights

Advised China Evergrande Group as offshore counsel. Engaged to advise on the restructuring of the group.
Advised Katerra Inc. and its subsidiaries in relation to Cayman Islands law matters in connection with the group's Chapter 11 proceedings and subsequent plan of liquidation.
Advised 58.com on all aspects of the s.238 fair value appraisal proceeding arising from its recent privatisation and delisting from the NYSE.

Lawyers

Leading associates

Rising stars with regular involvement in their team's key work, and recognition from peers or clients as being ones to watch.

Malachi Sweetman

Malachi is an associate of Maples and Calder's Dispute Resolution & Insolvency team in the Maples Group's Cayman Islands office. He has extensive experience in commercial litigation and ADR across a broad range of financial and commercial disputes (in a number of jurisdictions), including disputes relating to commercial contracts, partnerships, trust deeds, shareholder agreements, as well as disputes involving banks and other financial institutions. Malachi is also an experienced advocate; in addition to acting for multi-national clients in international arbitrations, he has also advised clients on litigation arising from cross-border insolvencies.

Leading partners

The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.

Caroline Moran

Caroline is a partner of Maples and Calder's Dispute Resolution & Insolvency team in the Maples Group's Cayman Islands office. Caroline advises on all aspects of cross border and domestic insolvency and restructuring issues, in particular contentious and non-contentious restructurings, liquidations, schemes of arrangement and fund wind downs. She advises debtors and key stakeholders in financially distressed circumstances, including banks, funds, bondholders, directors, investors and insolvency practitioners. Caroline also has extensive commercial litigation experience in financial services disputes including appraisal rights/fair value cases and shareholder, board and investment funds disputes. She is an experienced advocate, who regularly appears in the Cayman Islands courts.

James Eldridge

James is a partner of Maples and Calder's Dispute Resolution & Insolvency team in the Maples Group's Cayman Islands office. He has extensive experience in commercial litigation, insolvency, corporate recovery, reconstructions, and schemes of arrangement. He specialises in insolvency-related issues, advising financial institutions, investors and insolvency administrators. James has particular expertise in assisting investors, creditors, managers and independent directors of distressed funds.

Luke Stockdale

Luke is a partner of Maples and Calder's Dispute Resolution & Insolvency team in the Maples Group's Cayman Islands office. He has a broad range of experience in commercial litigation, arbitration and restructuring and insolvency matters, with a particular emphasis on complex and multi-jurisdictional cases. Luke also has considerable experience in banking and finance and investment fund disputes, company law and trust disputes and regularly advises financial institutions, investors and insolvency practitioners on contentious matters and insolvencies.

Next Generation Partners

Junior partners with significant recognition from clients and peers in the market and key roles on multiple matters.

Nick Herrod

Nick is of counsel at Maples and Calder's Dispute Resolution & Insolvency team in the Maples Group's Cayman Islands office. He provides a wide range of advice on international restructurings, contentious and non-contentious insolvency issues, structured finance and derivatives. He specialises in cross-border insolvency, schemes of arrangement and structuring transactions to mitigate against the risks of insolvency.

Adam Huckle

Adam is an associate of Maples and Calder's Financial Services Regulation and Dispute Resolution & Insolvency teams in the Maples Group's Cayman Islands office. Adam regularly represents retail and investment banks, trustees, investment funds and other financial institutions. He has a broad range of litigation experience, with an emphasis on complex, multi-jurisdictional matters involving banking, finance, investment funds, company law and trusts disputes. Adam's regulatory practice has a particular focus on economic sanctions, but also includes advising on cross border conduct of business, duties of confidentiality, anti-corruption and bribery, licensing, record retention and mandatory reporting and information exchange. He regularly appears in the Grand Court and Court of Appeal of the Cayman Islands.

Practice head

The lawyer(s) leading their teams.

James Eldridge, Caroline Moran

Other key lawyers

Luke Stockdale, Nick Herrod, Adam Hackle: Quentin Cregan, Malachi Sweetman, Tiana Ritchie

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