Hector Robinson KC

Overview

I am a Partner in our Cayman Islands litigation practice group. I was appointed Queen's Counsel in February 2017.

Recognised as a trusted adviser and first port of call for clients and intermediaries seeking Cayman Islands legal advice, I regularly appear as Leading Counsel before the Cayman Islands Grand Court and Court of Appeal. I have also appeared before the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council.

My work focuses on advising and representing trustees, settlors and beneficiaries in complex cross-border trust and estate, regulatory, fraud and asset tracing, insolvency, contentious property and employment disputes.

I speak regularly at trust conferences and seminars, and have written articles for Solicitors Journal, New Law Journal, PLC Magazine and Private Client Business.

I have been accepted on a number of occasions by federal and state courts in the USA as an expert on Cayman Islands law.

Professional qualifications

• Admitted as an Attorney in Jamaica (currently non-practising), 1990
• Admitted as an Attorney in the Cayman Islands, 2000

Memberships

• Chairman, Cayman Islands Law Reform Commission
• INSOL
• Restructuring and Insolvency Specialists (RISA)
• Chairmanship Panel of Cayman Islands Institute of Public Accountants (CIIPA) Disciplinary Tribunal
• Affiliate member, STEP

Work highlights

• Hamaty-Simmonds and Anor v Hamaty and others – Appeared as Leading Counsel for the main beneficiaries of a will.  The trial judge commented that 'Mr Robinson … [is one of the] fine local examples of the very high written and oral advocacy standards that prevail in this jurisdiction.'
• Maples Corporate Services Ltd and MaplesFS Ltd v Cayman Islands Monetary Authority – Appeared as Leading Counsel for CIMA in the most significant regulatory proceedings under the Cayman Islands Anti-Money Laundering Regulations.
• Re A, B and C Trusts – Appeared for the minor and unborn beneficiaries on an application by the trustee of three Cayman trusts to determine whether a complex restructuring of the trusts involving the distribution of the majority of the trust assets 'with a very substantial value' to family run philanthropic entities, was for the benefit of the trusts' beneficiaries.
• H.E.B. Enterprises Ltd and Another v Richards -Appeared as Leading Counsel before the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council on an appeal involving complex issues regarding the principles governing loss of basis under the law of unjust enrichment.
• Re Stingray Trust - Appearing as Leading Counsel for the international trustee of Cayman Islands trust on a forum non conveniens application which considered the effect and scope of the firewall provisions in the Cayman Islands Trusts Act.
• Appeared as Leading Counsel for HSBC Trustee (C.I.) Limited, as trustee of a Cayman Islands trust, on an application to the Grand Court to bless the final distribution of the trust assets.
• Re OneTradeX Ltd - Appeared as Leading Counsel for the Ad Hoc Committee of creditors and clients of a regulated Cayman Islands brokerage house, in liquidation, on multiple issues arising under the Berkely Applegate jurisdiction.
• Re Fang Holdings Limited - Appeared as Leading Counsel for the founder, chairman and majority shareholder of a Cayman Islands company listed on the New York Stock Exchange which operates one of the largest real estate internet trading platforms in China in resisting a just and equitable winding up petition.
• Re O Trust - Appeared as Leading Counsel for the intended object of a settlor's reserved power to amend a trust deed and in an important trial which determined the applicable test in the Cayman Islands for the determination of mental capacity.

What the directories say

In Chambers and Partners Global 2024, Hector is individually ranked in Dispute Resolution. 

In Legal 500 Caribbean 2024, Hector is ranked as a Leading Individual in Dispute Resolution and Recommended Lawyer in Regulatory and Compliance. 

In Chambers and Partners Global 2023, Hector is individually ranked in Dispute Resolution. A source in the guide says: "Hector is extremely tactical, with a keen awareness of when to pursue a particular line of argument, when to allow the passage of time to direct the matter, and when to be assertive."

Hector Robinson KC is listed as a Global Elite - Lawyer in the Private Client Global Elite Directory 2023.

"He listens to his client and seeks the client’s best interests. He has strong personal organisation skills. He is not afraid to advance novel arguments or test uncharted territory. His style is adaptable to the changing circumstances in which he works." Chambers Global 2022.

Chambers and Partners Global 2021 states that sources note his "clear and persuasive" advocacy, stating that he is "strategic and thorough" and "always focused on the best result for the client."