The future of offshore law
WELCOME TO EMERY COOKE
Experience. Expertise. Results.
Emery Cooke is an Offshore Law Firm based in the Caribbean with offices in the British Virgin Islands and the Bahamas. We provide practical, corporate and commercial legal advice on British Virgin Islands and Bahamian law, with close ties to law firms in several other jurisdictions.
PRACTICE AREAS
How We Can Help You
We provide full and comprehensive advice and assistance to both Trustees and Beneficiaries in relation to the setting up of trusts in the BVI and the Bahamas.
Both jurisdictions offer flexibility to both private individuals and corporate clients. The English common law and equity apply in addition to local statute. We work closely with clients in order to ensure that individual circumstances are reflected in the structuring of the trust.
Emery Cooke also assists in relation to trust disputes and related litigation.
We provide full and comprehensive advice and assistance to both Trustees and Beneficiaries in relation to the setting up of trusts in the BVI and the Bahamas.
Both jurisdictions offer flexibility to both private individuals and corporate clients. The English common law and equity apply in addition to local statute. We work closely with clients in order to ensure that individual circumstances are reflected in the structuring of the trust.
Emery Cooke also assists in relation to trust disputes and related litigation.
REGULATORY
REGULATORY & INVESTMENT
COMMERCIAL LITIGATION
Years of Experience
Commercial Litigation lies at the heart of Emery Cooke. Our lawyers have been involved in some of the largest, most important and complex pieces of litigation in the Caribbean, many with large cross-border elements.
Collectively we have appeared on behalf of banks, trust companies, high net worth individuals, multinational corporations, international funds as well as domestic individuals and companies. We have extensive experience in the Courts of Appeal of The Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court and the Bahamas as well as the Privy Council.
INSOLVENCY AND RESTRUCTURING
Proven Success
Emery Cooke advises and represents liquidators, creditors, debtors, investors, directors and others on local insolvency law matters as well as complex cross-border matters with a BVI or Bahamian element, including:
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Appointment of liquidators
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Appointment of receivers
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Voluntary liquidations
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Winding up proceedings
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Provisional liquidations
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Statutory demands
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Liquidators’ Fee Applications
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Examination of relevant persons
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Investigations by liquidators
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Supervision orders
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Ancillary Orders
TRUSTS
Planning for the Future
We provide full and comprehensive advice and assistance to both Trustees and Beneficiaries in relation to the setting up of trusts in the BVI and the Bahamas.
Both jurisdictions offer flexibility to both private individuals and corporate clients. The English common law and equity apply in addition to local statute. We work closely with clients in order to ensure that individual circumstances are reflected in the structuring of the trust. Emery Cooke also assists in relation to trust disputes and related litigation.
REGULATORY
Playing by the Rules
Emery Cooke provides advice to clients in relation to all aspects of Regulatory matters in the BVI and Bahamas.
From incorporating in the BVI and Bahamas for the first time to staying up to date with new legislation and regulations, Emery Cooke is able to assist clients by providing sound and reasoned advice to any situation.
SHIPPING
Years of Experience
Shipping has always been the life blood of the Caribbean and members of Emery Cooke have a wealth of experience in the sector.
The BVI is recognised the world over as the sailing capital of the world, while the Bahamas has one of the leading and most respected Port Authorities in the world.
Whether your matter concerns a private luxury yacht or a large container ship, Emery Cooke can assist.
The BVI Shipping Registry is a founding member of the Red Ensign Group (REG) and is classed as a Category 1 Registry. As such, it is qualified to register all types of yachts up to 3,000 gross tons and general cargo ships of unlimited tonnage.
It is to be noted that ships flying the Red Ensign Flag are entitled to British Diplomatic/Consular support and Royal Navy protection.
There is no VAT or other levies to pay upon registering a ship in the BVI apart from a small annual fee and one of registration fee.
The Bahamian Ship Registry is one of the world's largest Registers with over 50 million gross tons of ships flying the Bahamas Flag.
There are advantages in registering a vessel in either jurisdiction and Emery Cooke can properly advise which jurisdiction is better suited to each client’s needs.
In addition, our litigators have vast experience in all disputes relating to Carriage of Goods by Sea, including Charterparty disputes, marine insurance, Bills of Lading as well as all admiralty matters.
INSURANCE
Experts in the Field
The BVI is one of the world’s top ten domiciles for captive insurance companies and Emery Cooke is well placed to advise and assist on all issues (regulatory or otherwise) relating to them and Insurance matters in general, including:
Establishing, regulatory compliance and business operations of commercial (re)insurance companies (life and non-life), insurance managers and brokers in the BVI and Bahamas
Mergers and acquisitions of insurance companies
Re-domiciliation of (re)insurance companies into or out of our jurisdictions
Hedge fund-owned insurance companies
Captive and rent-a-captive programmes
Segregated accounts and portfolio companies
Value-added insurance wraps
Policies and other contracts
Governance procedures and other regulatory matters
Protection and Indemnity (P&I) Clubs
Mutual insurance companies
Schemes of Arrangement/Transfer of insurance portfolios