Cayman Islands

Jude Scott joins the management team of Maples and Calder and will play an active role in the continued growth of the firm.  Cayman managing partner, Paul Lumsden, stated, "This is an exciting development for our firm and we are pleased to have such a highly qualified individual join us as CEO.  Jude is well respected in the local community and internationally, having served on various Cayman Islands Government and private sector committees, including the Cayman Islands Society of Professional Accountants, the Cayman Islands Financial Services Council, the Education Council, the Insolvency Rules Committee and the Stock Exchange."

Previously an audit partner at the Cayman Islands office of Ernst & Young, Jude retired in 2008 after spending over 23 years with firm, specialising in the audits of investment funds, investment companies, banks and insurance companies. 

Global managing partner, Henry Smith noted, "As Maples and Calder continues to be distinguished as a top tier law firm, Jude's level of experience and highly regarded reputation will further enhance the firm's ability to provide outstanding service to our clients. Jude's contributions to this country have been very impressive and we are honoured that a person of his calibre has agreed to join our firm. His appointment reflects the intention of the firm to maintain its excellence as the premier international law firm”.

Maples and Calder is pleased to announce that Iain McMurdo has recently been appointed as the head of its Global Private Equity Group.

Recognised as a leading funds and corporate lawyer, Iain's appointment comes at a particularly exciting time for the firm. To date in 2010, Maples and Calder has advised on the formation of 43% of all new Cayman Islands Exempted Limited Partnerships, the preferred offshore vehicle used for structuring private equity funds. The firm also advised on the formation of three of the eight largest private equity funds with final closings in 2009.

Iain noted that in Cayman, "We have seen a steady rise in the number of private equity funds formed in 2010 compared with 2009.  As the global economy continues to stabilise and recover from recession, we are experiencing an increase in fund formations and down-stream transactions."  Iain continued, "The Maples Group is uniquely placed to offer clients the choice of structuring private equity funds in the British Virgin Islands, the Cayman Islands, Ireland or Luxembourg from our offices based in these jurisdictions.  Our additional offices in Dubai, Hong Kong, London and Montreal ensure that we are able to respond seamlessly to clients from the location that best suits their needs."

In addition to our legal services, our affiliate, MaplesFS, offers specialised fiduciary and administration services to private equity funds and their managers. Their industry experts work closely with Maples and Calder lawyers in a business model that adds value and provides a comprehensive service.

Henry Smith, Global Managing Partner, said "Iain is leading an extremely strong and talented team of private equity lawyers who have worked hard to establish Maples' leading position in the Cayman, Irish and BVI markets acting for private equity managers, institutional investors and their external legal advisers.  We have a unique view of the market and are well positioned to spot industry trends and advise our clients."

Maples and Calder launches the first phase of Maples eServices, made available to all Cayman Islands entities for which Maples Corporate Services Limited provides registered office services. The first phase provides on-line access to the statutory registers of Cayman Islands entities. The second phase, proposed for launch during 2010, will allow on-line access to the certificate of incorporation and memorandum and articles of association for companies and equivalent documentation for partnerships, contents of the minute book and deal documents. Maples eServices have been designed to offer clients 24/7 fast, secure access to their Cayman Islands entities' documentation.