Chancery Chambers

Partners: Sir Trevor Carmichael, KC, Mr Andrew C Ferreira KC, Mr Giles Carmichael
Number of attorneys: 14
Languages: English, Spanish

Firm Overview:
Chancery Chambers is one of the more diversified law firms in the Caribbean. Based in Barbados, it provides a full complement of legal services to national and international clients. The firm is recognised as the premier commercial legal firm with an international reputation for excellence. The firm’s mission remains to provide personalised service with a high degree of professional competence so as to be of substantial value to clients in the resolution of complex matters. The firm’s expertise is enhanced by strong professional relationships, and is a collaborating firm with Andersen Legal as well as a member of the Terralex and LAW international legal associations.

The firm has developed beyond the established core competencies. In addition to the structured expansion programme for the existing legal practice areas, there is a bespoke litigation practice (civil litigation, arbitration and other alternative dispute resolution) operating as Chancery Advocates. In addition there is a dedicated corporate services division, Chancery Corporate Services Limited which is responsible for all aspects of corporate administration.

The firm’s stature is enhanced by its strong charitable and civic focus. In association with, and under the direction of the Caribbean Court of Justice, the firm is part of the pioneering efforts in justice reform for Barbados and the region, through its involvement and support of APEX and the efforts towards the digitisation programmes for courts and public registries. Also, in association with other law firms and international arbitrators the firm is pioneering efforts for alternative dispute resolution through the Arbitration and Mediation Court of the Caribbean.

Main Areas of Practice:
Aviation
Banking & Finance
Charities
Civil Litigation, Arbitration & Mediation
Corporate Governance
Economic Development
Employment
Energy
Environmental
Insurance & Reinsurance
Intellectual Property
International Investment
Mergers & Acquisitions
Real Estate
Securities & Financial Markets
Shipping
Trusts & Estates

Civil Litigation, Arbitration & Mediation:
The contentious business practice specialises in commercial and financial litigation, arbitration, public law and public international law, and provides counsel to clients on areas of Barbados law. Legislative Advice: It has provided support for, and assisted in the drafting of legislation in jurisdictions in the Caribbean and Indian subcontinent. The firm has also been engaged as a Member of the Joint Ventures Model Contracts Committee of the International Trade Centre of the Conference on Trade and Development.

Development Consulting:
Advised governments, regional and international organisations as well as development banks, feasibility and pre-feasibility studies are all undertaken by Chancery Chambers.

International Investment:
The firm’s founder is a panel member of ICSID designated by the Government of Barbados. In addition, the firm has advised and consulted in respect of international investment law and has acted in complex commercial and investor-state arbitrations (appearing before ICSID, AAA and NYIAC). The firm has also advised on sovereign debt restructure programmes.

Banking, Insurance & Reinsurance:
The firm provides advice to banks and other financial institutions and insurance and reinsurance companies on various legal matters including formation and transactional matters. The partners of the firm are also board members of large banking, finance and insurance institutions.

Taxation:
Chancery Chambers regularly provides tax advice and opinions in international and domestic transactions and in the structuring of investments. It has also been a leader in developing tax advantaged fiscally compliant structures working in conjunction with accounting firms and regulatory authorities.

Corporate Finance & Mergers & Acquisitions:
Chancery Chambers continues to be engaged by many international banks and companies to provide advice and transactional support in secured and syndicated loan transactions and guarantees, structured finance, project finance, leasing and tax-based finance transactions, as well as rendering advice on mergers and acquisitions locally, regionally and internationally. It is on record as having acted as Deal Counsel to two commercial banks in the Caribbean’s largest banking merger; and in that capacity, it provided open ended advice to both entities from an overall deal perspective.

Specialised Financial Instruments:
The firm is a member of ISDA, and provides legal opinions in respect of Barbados law for that organisation as well as rendering bespoke or and general opinions on financial contracts.

Charities:
Chancery Chambers provides advice to charities and to high net worth individuals and other clients on the formation of domestic charities, many of which have international connections.

Pensions & Employment:
Chancery Chambers is engaged in all matters relating to Barbados’s employment and pension law; and also advises on the use of international pension schemes within the context of the laws of Barbados.

Real Estate:
Chancery’s real estate practice is highly diversified ranging from mortgage and conveyancing work on behalf of young families to the more complex financial and tax structuring of real property acquisitions by high net worth individuals and companies. The firm also advises commercial client on various real estate matters including mortgages, commercial leases, sale and lease back transactions and real estate developments. It continues to act as part of the panel of lawyers of three local commercial banks.

Probate, Trust & Estates:
The firm’s trust practice is deep and extensive covering both international and domestic clients and involving traditional as well as creative estate planning within trust and other structures. One of the partners is the co-author on the leading academic and practitioner’s text on Caribbean trust law. The firm’s local probate practice is also longstanding.

Corporate Services:
The firm with its affiliate, Chancery Corporate Services Limited, offers professional advice and guidance for international and local clients on the use of the appropriate entities such as international business companies, societies with restricted liabilities, international financial services companies and exempt insurance companies. It also provides corporate advisory, corporate secretarial and administrative services to local, regional, international and multinational companies.

Contacts:
Name: Sir Trevor Carmichael, KA, LVO, KC - Chairman
Email: [email protected]

Name: Mr Andrew C Ferreira, KC - Partner, Head Tax & Commercial
Email: [email protected]

Name: Mr Giles A M Carmichael, LLM, MBA, MCIArb - Partner
Email: [email protected]