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 is the head of the specialist investment funds team. He is a leading individual in his field and is recognised as one of the top lawyers in the Cayman Islands for investment funds by Legal 500. Chris has also been ranked as a Leading Lawyer in Fintech, Investment Funds, and Corporate and Commercial by Chambers and Partners for many years, and has earned recognition as a Highly Regarded lawyer by IFLR1000 in Investment Funds and Corporate practice areas. With over 25 years experience, Chris has acquired extensive and unique knowledge in the investment funds industry and has registered close to 1,000 funds in the Cayman Islands. There are few attorneys with the breadth and depth of knowledge and expertise 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
- Blockchain Legal Institute
Recent Recognition
- Legal500: Chris Humphries is described by Legal 500 as ‘… an encyclopedia of Cayman funds rules. "Super knowledgeable". "Very responsive". He is recognised as a Leading Partner in Investments Funds and Corporate & Commercial. He is noted as being, "methodical" "commercial" and "experienced". One client notes that Chris is "excellent, responds quickly and knows all aspects of the funds industry." He has also been described as, "a superstar. One of the premier crypto fund attorneys, having worked in the space for many years". Chris is further recognised as a Recommended Lawyer in Banking, Finance & Capital Markets.
- IFLR1000: Chris Humphries is recognised as a Highly Regarded Lawyer in the Investments Funds and Financial & Corporate practice areas by IFLR1000.
- Chambers & Partners: Chris is ranked as a Leading Individual by Chambers & Partners in the Investment Funds and FinTech practice areas, and a Notable Practitioner in Corporate and Finance. Chris has extensive experience of commercial and financial legal work. A source notes that: “Chris Humphries provides a level of sophistication, business awareness and accessibility that is almost unparalleled in the Cayman Islands.” He is quoted as “… a fantastic leader. He is rock solid on any issue and super-responsive”. Chris Humphries is further described as "..a superb attorney. "He gives us quick and effective responses to any structural or tax questions - this instils a great sense of confidence in the client."