Stuarts Humphries Banner Image

People

Chris Humphries

Chris Humphries

Managing Director and Head of Funds
  • +1 (345) 814-7911
  • View vcard

Chris Humphries

Managing Director and Head of Funds

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 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 and Commercial by Chambers  and Partners and IFLR1000.  Chris has extensive experience in the funds industry with over 25 years’ experience and over 1,000 funds under his belt. 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

  • The Cayman Islands Legal Practitioners Association

Recognition

  • Legal 500: Chris is ranked as a Leading Individual in the Investments Funds practice by Legal500 and is ranked as one of the top 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 Notable Practitioner in Chambers & Partners in the Investment Funds, Corporate & Financial, and Fintech divisions. Chris has extensive experience of commercial and financial legal work. A source said: “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."
  • IFLR 1000: Chris Humphries is ranked as a Highly Regarded lawyer in the Investments Funds and Financial & Corporate practice areas in IFLR1000.

Testimonials 

Chambers & Partners
“Chris Humphries is 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." Fund Client Testimonial
“Christopher is deeply experienced and offers solid, well-considered advice. He is well connected within the Cayman business community and maintains a high level of awareness of developments within the relevant industries." FinTech Client Testimonial
Chris is a trusted adviser and an essential part of our legal service team. His counsel is always on-point and practical, and his responsiveness is always impressive." Funds Client Testimonial
“Chris Humphries is highly knowledgeable, effective and efficient; he cuts to the core of what the client is looking for." Corporate Client Testimonial
Chris is "a sophisticated, responsive and intelligent problem solver." Client Testimonial
Christopher Humphries is considered a "thorough" and "excellent" lawyer by his clients. He is well versed in a range of fund structures, including master-feeder and fund-of-funds, and also frequently advises on restructuring and regulatory compliance issues. Corporate Publication Recognition
Chris is "incredibly responsive and a top-notch problem solver." Corporate Client Testimonial
Chris' "level of responsiveness is very high and his business acumen is excellent. He provides good advice with a solid business perspective." Corporate Client Testimonial
Chris is "very responsive and tremendously accessible." Fund Client Testimonial

 

Legal 500
“Chris Humphries is a superstar. One of the premier crypto fund attorneys, having worked in the space for many years.” Corporate Client Testimonial
“Chris Humphries is incredibly responsive to all client matters, regardless of the size or perceived importance of an issue.” Corporate Client Testimonial
Chris Humphries is a superstar. One of the premier crypto fund attorneys, having worked in the space for many years.” Corporate Client Testimonial
Chris Humphries is a very experienced and knowledgeable adviser with a consistently helpful and pleasant disposition. Chris is always prepared to prioritise urgent client requests and meet tight deadlines on short notice. His advice is always bespoke, accurate and commercially sensitive.Corporate Client Testimonial
Chris Humphries is an encyclopedia of Cayman funds rules. Super knowledgeable. Very responsive."Funds Client Testimonial

 

IFLR 1000
“Very good and very responsive.” Client Testimonial
“Knowledgeable, practical and attentive.” Client Testimonial
“Very responsive, day or night.” Client Testimonial
“Excellent work. Responsive, good team leadership and no known weaknesses.” Client Testimonial
“Very responsive and insightful, good partner access.” Client Testimonial

Awards

     

     

    stuarts humphries IFLR stuarts humphries IFLR 2022 stuarts humphries IFLR 2020

     

      Stuarts Humphries Legal500 2022 Stuarts Humphries Legal500 2021 Stuarts Humphries Legal500 2020   

    Publications