Department profile
Walkers

Dispute Resolution

Global Guide 2026 : Cayman Islands

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Walkers

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About

Provided by Walkers

Walkers is internationally recognised as having the premier Dispute Resolution team amongst the International Financial Centre law firms.

We have played a leading role in the development of insolvency law in a number of the jurisdictions in which we operate. We have taken a leading role in formulating structures and techniques to assist distressed companies to refinance and/or restructure themselves.

We advise existing stakeholders, creditors, debtors, private equity and hedge funds, insolvency practitioners and other advisors and have been involved in ground breaking areas of law such as obtaining the first free standing freezing injunction and novel Judicial Review proceedings in the Cayman Islands.

Clients (8)

  • Deloitte
  • Deutsche Bank
  • EY
  • Grant Thornton
  • HSBC
  • JP Morgan
  • KPMG
  • PWC

Industries (11)

  • Banks
  • Commercial & Professional Services
  • Construction & Materials
  • Energy
  • Financial Services
  • Insurance
  • Mining & Metals
  • Private Clients / Individuals
  • Real Estate
  • Telecommunications
  • Utilities

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Dispute Resolution - Cayman Islands

Band 1

What the Team is Known For

Walkers' Cayman office houses a top-rated insolvency and dispute resolution practice dealing extensively with high-value cases. It is well-versed in all areas of commercial litigation and has considerable experience handling multi-jurisdictional disputes. The restructuring and insolvency expertise of the team is particularly highly rated by market sources. The firm is also able to advise on matters of alleged commercial fraud.

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Work Highlights

Provided by Chambers

  • Walkers represented FFP, as claims manager for the GHF Group, in four sets of related proceedings commenced in the Grand Court of the Cayman Islands and arising out of the much-publicised insolvency of the Abraaj Group.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

  • Walkers has a very knowledgeable team of lawyers that provides clear guidance and opinions.

    Dispute Resolution respondentGlobal

  • Walkers has the ability to deal with matters in a commercial and proactive fashion.

    Dispute Resolution respondentGlobal

  • Walkers' breadth of experience is vast, and its ability and willingness to consider novel approaches make it ideal for the types of complex matters we face.

    Dispute Resolution respondentGlobal

  • Walkers is a top-tier law firm whose reputation for excellence is well earned. The disputes team consistently delivers high-quality legal advice to insolvency practitioners.

    Dispute Resolution respondentGlobal

  • In my experience, Walkers has real strength in depth and is well suited to running large-scale contentious mandates, where coordination, technical clarity and execution under pressure are essential.

    Dispute Resolution respondentGlobal

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

  • Neil Lupton
    Neil Lupton

    Neil Lupton

    Neil Lupton has a stellar reputation for restructuring and insolvency mandates. His recent workload encompasses advice on global restructuring plans and the Cayman elements of Chapter 11 liquidation proceedings.

    • You are lucky if you get the chance to work with Neil Lupton on a case. I say that because of his experience and tactical perspective.

      Dispute Resolution respondentGlobal
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  • Matthew Goucke
    Matthew Goucke

    Matthew Goucke

    Matthew Goucke offers considerable expertise in contentious insolvency, with a notable specialism regarding distressed investment funds. In recent years he has handled several of the most significant such matters in the Cayman Islands.

    • Matthew Goucke has an exceptional ability to quickly summarise the key issues in complex international litigation.

      Dispute Resolution respondentGlobal

    • He is a very sensible and commercially minded person.

      Dispute Resolution respondentGlobal

    • Matthew Goucke provides excellent service and advice.

      Dispute Resolution respondentGlobal

    • He is one of the best advocates in the Cayman Islands. He works very hard and you can always be entirely comfortable that his advice is sound and well thought through.

      Dispute Resolution respondentGlobal
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  • Shelley White
    Shelley White

    Shelley White

    Shelley White is a first-rate practitioner who is noted for her skilled handling of insolvency matters and general commercial litigation. She also advises on Cayman trust disputes and white-collar fraud claims.

    • Shelley White is laser-focused on delivering excellent advice and results for her clients.

      Dispute Resolution respondentGlobal

    • She is a great leader of teams who works collaboratively with clients and other advisers to get to the right outcome.

      Dispute Resolution respondentGlobal

    • The way Shelley White manages her team is incredible. She is a great leader and motivator who inspires a lot of loyalty.

      Dispute Resolution respondentGlobal

    • It is great to have someone experienced like Shelley on a case. She is an incredibly bright and intelligent lawyer - it is a pleasure to deal with her.

      Dispute Resolution respondentGlobal

    • Shelley White is one of the top advocates on the island; she is excellent.

      Dispute Resolution respondentGlobal
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  • Barnaby Gowrie
    Barnaby Gowrie

    Barnaby Gowrie

    Seasoned Cayman litigator Barnaby Gowrie is very well-versed in restructuring and insolvency, especially as they relate to structured products. In this arena he is able to leverage insights from his background as an onshore transactional lawyer in his advice to clients.

    • Barnaby Gowrie is responsive and strategic.

      Dispute Resolution respondentGlobal

    • Barnaby Gowrie is a truly excellent partner who sees the essential point immediately and knows when to step in.

      Dispute Resolution respondentGlobal
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  • Rupert Bell
    Rupert Bell

    Rupert Bell

    Rupert Bell is an experienced Cayman lawyer who regularly assists clients with insolvency proceedings and debt restructuring matters, particularly concerning distressed investment funds. He is also well-versed in Section 238 proceedings.

    • Rupert always delivers commercial and definitive advice.

      Dispute Resolution respondentGlobal

    • Rupert Bell has a wealth of experience and knowledge in Cayman Islands dispute resolution matters, particularly 238 minority shareholder disputes.

      Dispute Resolution respondentGlobal

    • Rupert Bell is commercially focused, super-responsive and has the ability to translate technical legal language into plain English for those on our team that are less familiar with those areas.

      Dispute Resolution respondentGlobal
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  • Fiona MacAdam
    Fiona MacAdam

    Fiona MacAdam

    Fiona MacAdam is well known in the market for her assistance with high-value restructuring cases. She continues to develop her reputation as one of the most promising figures in the Cayman dispute resolution arena.

    • I always appreciate Fiona’s practical and well-considered advice. She is approachable and responsive, and her general demeanour makes her a pleasure to work with.

      Dispute Resolution respondentGlobal

    • Fiona MacAdam is very knowledgeable about financial restructuring.

      Dispute Resolution respondentGlobal
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  • Nick Dunne
    Nick Dunne

    Nick Dunne

    Nick Dunne is a well-known figure in the Cayman Islands who is noted for his strong capabilities in white-collar fraud cases. His wider practice has also seen him lead on major real estate and trust disputes.

    • Nick has good strategic knowledge and is good at managing cross-border projects.

      Dispute Resolution respondentGlobal

    • Nick Dunne has keen strategic awareness and is able to make the big decisions when they matter most.

      Dispute Resolution respondentGlobal

    • Nick Dunne is a fantastic all-round practitioner who is sophisticated, commercial and practical.

      Dispute Resolution respondentGlobal
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Ranked Individuals at Walkers (7)

Cayman Islands

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