Chris specialises in investment funds, corporate and commercial, insurance, banking, fintech, regulatory and compliance.
Practice Experience
Chris Humphries is the Managing Director of Stuarts and head of the specialist investment funds team. Chris is recognised as one of the top four leading lawyers in the country for investment funds by Legal 500 and has been ranked for many years as a leading individual in investment funds and corporate by Chambers Global and IFLR1000. A veteran in the funds industry with over 25 years’ experience and close to 1,000 funds under his belt; there are few attorneys with the breadth of experience that Chris has acquired.
Chris joined in 2004 as one of the founding directors, from the London office of Kendall Freeman (now Locke Lord LLP), where he specialised in the financial services industry and regulatory related matters. Although Chris was born a British citizen, he has also gained the privilege of Cayman citizenship over the last 20 years.
Chris is a highly experienced independent director and has sat on the board of many registered funds, private equity funds and investment vehicles. He routinely advises on regulatory and compliance issues involving funds, investment managers and fund administrators. He routinely advises on the strategic restructuring of funds, redemption restrictions as well as the use of side pockets or special purpose vehicles for illiquid assets and investor communications and disputes.
Chris establishes investment managers and fund administrators in the Cayman Islands and advises on their respective regulatory regimes. He has extensive experience in all types of fund structures including master-feeder and fund of fund structures as well as the establishment of complex fund platforms using exempted companies and/or partnerships and the use of segregated portfolio companies.
Chris advises on the use of side letters as well as other class rights related issues. As listing agent to the Cayman Islands Stock Exchange ("CSX") Chris has listed many investment funds on the CSX.
Chris chairs the digital, blockchain and fintech working group and advises funds focusing on blockchain technology, bitcoin and other cryptocurrency strategies; and has a wide range of experience with corporate and commercial transactions for private and listed clients, including mergers, acquisitions, joint ventures, corporate finance, commercial agreements and insurance securitisations.
Admissions
- Grand Court of the Cayman Islands
- Supreme Court of the British Virgin Islands (non-practising)
- Senior Courts of England and Wales (non-practising)
Education
- College of Law
- University of London
Professional Associations
- The Cayman Islands Legal Practitioners Association
Recognition
- Legal 500: Chris is ranked as a Leading Individual for Investments Funds by Legal500 and is ranked as one of the top 5 funds lawyers in the Cayman Islands. He is noted as being, "excellent, responds quickly and knows all aspects of the funds industry." He has also been noted as, "a superstar. One of the premier crypto fund attorneys, having worked in the space for many years".
- Chambers & Partners: Chris is ranked as a Leading Individual in Chambers & Partners for Investment Funds, FinTech and Corporate & Commercial. Chris has extensive experience of commercial and corporate legal work. Testimonials include: "His level of responsiveness is very high and his business acumen is excellent. He provides good advice with a solid business perspective." He is quoted as "very responsive and tremendously accessible." He is further praised for his "superb legal skills."
- IFLR 1000:Chris Humphries is ranked as a Highly Regarded lawyer for Investments Funds and Financial & Corporate in IFLR1000.