Bermuda Law in Asia

Our Asia based lawyers in Singapore and Hong Kong provide real-time and full-service support for our Asia based clients on their Bermuda legal needs.

Carey Olsen has market-leading Bermuda law capabilities in Asia that is led by one of our Partners, Matthew Watson, who spent a substantial number of years practising in Bermuda (including on many of the island's largest cases), before relocating to Hong Kong to offer 'on the ground' Bermuda law expertise to Asia based clients. He is ranked in the Top 12 Offshore Litigators by Asian Legal Business.

Additionally, Carey Olsen has a team of very highly ranked partners and attorneys that are registered to practice Bermuda law in our Hong Kong and Singapore offices, including lawyers with Mandarin and Cantonese language capabilities. our Asia based offices work seamlessly with our Tier 1 ranked Bermuda office, which is one of the largest law firms on island in Bermuda with full-service capabilities. We are able to provide around the clock Bermuda law services where it is needed, particularly with urgent litigation or commercial transactions.

Our lawyers combine a global perspective with deep local knowledge, drawing upon their significant local and international backgrounds, and decades of collective expertise practising Bermuda law. Our team is experienced working with onshore law firms, advisory professionals, Counsel, and other advisors that facilitates wholistic specialist advice on cross-border considerations and decision-making.

Advisory services

On the advisory side, we routinely act in respect of large commercial transactions including all aspects of establishing and maintaining structures and advising on evolving business needs including capital raising, investment funds, listing services, licensing, regulatory and compliance matters, employment, issuing of legal opinions, banking and finance matters, mergers and acquisitions, and insurance and reinsurance. We also have specialists that are familiar with the Bermuda legal and regulatory framework that facilitates emerging fintech and digital asset businesses. We have been at the forefront assisting industry participants.

Litigation and dispute resolution services

In respect of contentious matters, we are experienced acting for liquidators, companies, high-net worth individuals, directors, shareholders, creditors, and stakeholders in connection with listed Bermuda companies, including those listed on the Hong Kong, Singapore and Australian stock exchanges or unlisted Bermuda entities. This includes acting in connection with commercial litigation matters (such as director and shareholder disputes), fair value appraisal actions arising from mergers or amalgamations, insolvency and restructuring, contractual disputes, trust and estate litigation, arbitration, insurance and reinsurance and banking and finance matters. We have experienced advocates and lawyers that are intimately familiar with the legal process and the Courts in Bermuda.

Prevalence of Bermuda law in Asia and beyond

The use of Bermuda law and structures have a long track record. There are a substantial number of Bermuda companies listed on the New York, Hong Kong, Singapore, and Australian stock exchanges, often with significant operations throughout Asia (including Mainland China and Hong Kong) and various other parts of the world. Bermuda is also home to one of the most significant insurance and reinsurance markets. In addition, Bermuda law has for decades being recognised as a well-regarded governing law to establish trusts for the benefit high net worth families, for philanthropic or charitable purposes or for investment funds, pension or other commercial purposes. In recent years, Bermuda has seen rapid growth in respect of fintech and digital asset business attracted by Bermuda's legal and regulatory framework.

Bermuda provides a well established, robust, flexible and clear legal framework for international business. It has an established professional services industry together with a Court system that has a panel of first instance commercial court judges, a strong Court of Appeal made up of former Chief Justices and English Judges, together with the Privy Council in London as its final appeal. This provides comfort to international investors who may need to enforce their rights through arbitration and/or the Courts.

Our Singapore and Hong Kong offices deliver full service offshore legal services for clients in Asia including: