Cayman Islands: Maples and Calder Release Brexit Guide

Our Investment Funds group is independently ranked as the number one legal adviser in Ireland for funds, based on: (a) total number of funds advised; and, (b) number of new funds established.

This market leading position gives us a unique insight into market trends. It also means our funds lawyers have a deep understanding of current laws, regulations and directives to support innovative product development in the area of UCITS, AIFMD, MiFID and across the wider asset management and financial services area. We advise on all aspects of the establishment, structuring, authorisation and on-going distribution of investment funds and their management companies in Ireland. Our fund projects include mutual funds, liquid alternatives, hedge funds, real estate funds, private equity funds, managed account platform structuring and hybrid vehicles.

In a Brexit context, this experience has been an invaluable resource to UK clients looking for advice on the establishment of Irish affiliates and subsidaries to maintain EU cross-border management and marketing passports.

Our UK and international clients are very familiar with the use of Irish funds (e.g. ICAVs, PLCs, unit trusts, partnerships and CCFs) and the rules of the Central Bank. In many cases we have already set up 'self-managed funds' and UCITS management companies or Irish AIFMs. We are seeing increased demand for these entities in Ireland along with a trend towards dual UCITS-AIFMD authorised entities (so-called "SuperManCos") with added MiFID permissions.

We also have experience in setting up stand-alone MiFID entities where our clients requirements go beyond the ancillary permissions allowed under UCITS and AIFMD.

Our services encompass the full range of MiFID2 and MiFIR planning, comparing Irish and non-Irish permissions, assisting with Central Bank of Ireland applications and key fact document completion as well as ongoing legal advice on authorisation of the entity.

Our Investment Funds partners are also extremely well represented on various industry bodies, including the Taoiseach's (prime minister's) Funds Committee; the Irish Funds Association and on UK based associations including the Alternative Investment Management Association (AIMA). We regularly engage and meet with the Central Bank to discuss their rules or client proposals, including in relation to their rules for Irish management companies (CP86) and the establishment of regulated entities in Ireland.

Our combination of cutting edge legal expertise and industry engagement allow us to serve our clients' needs and put us at the forefront of Brexit strategy and policy discussions in Ireland.

Our Commercial Litigation & Dispute Resolution group has market-leading experience in advising on, and acting in all manner of domestic and multi-jurisdictional disputes. The management of risk and the fast and effective resolution of disputes is a core part of our approach to litigation and dispute resolution. We focus as much on pre-dispute strategies designed to avoid disputes and mitigate risk as we do on litigation itself.

Ireland, as a common law jurisdiction, offers a neutral venue with an established, independent and reliable judicial system in which to resolve disputes. As an EU Member State, Ireland offers parties the certainties associated with the well-established conventions and regulations applicable to choice of law, jurisdiction, venue and enforcement in litigation within the EU, as well as beyond its borders. Ireland is a signatory of the New York Convention on the Recognition and Enforcement of Foreign Arbitral Awards 1958 and the Washington Convention on the Settlement of Investment Disputes between States and Nationals of other States (ICSID) and has ratified the Washington Convention. Further, the Irish courts have traditionally shown deference to the choice of the contracting parties of arbitration as a means of resolving disputes.

In addition, Ireland's Commercial Division of the High Court has a reputation for resolving complex commercial litigation quickly and effectively.

Our team advises on and has expertise on a range of disciplines including the following:

• banking, financial markets, funds and securities litigation;
• contract disputes;
• commercial litigation;
• shareholder and corporate disputes;
• regulatory disputes and investigations;
• international and domestic arbitration;
• infrastructure and construction projects; and
• litigation associated with insolvency and restructuring processes.

As an international practice, we are used to developing multi-jurisdictional strategies and we work with and have excellent relationships with co-counsel in the leading jurisdictions around the world. We can and do leverage our local expertise with our international experience in delivering effective and cost-efficient solutions for our clients.

Our Regulatory & Compliance group provides strategic regulatory advice aimed at pre-empting industry compliance deadlines, adapting to changes in the market or to prepare for regulatory inspections.

Due to the nature of the regulatory environment and the requests of entities relocating to Ireland as a result of Brexit, our team has expanded its existing capability to cater for clients across disciplines, including: investment funds, investment managers, prime brokers, fund service providers, payment institutions, investment banks and credit institutions, insurance (life and non-life) undertakings and credit unions.

Our team has extensive experience in dealing with regulatory and compliance matters in the following areas: application and authorisation, enforcement mitigation, thematic, general and lightning inspections and AML/CTF/FS services.

The team combines a deep understanding of Irish requirements, with in house compliance experience of other jurisdictions including the UK, allowing us to adapt existing compliance frameworks efficiently to an Irish context.

Additional advice is provided on the Irish interpretation of EU requirements, including: Solvency II, EMIR, SFTR, capital adequacy, remuneration rules and other areas stemming from the EU Commission's Capital Markets Union initiative.

Our team works closely with our Investment Funds, Banking and Finance, Corporate and Commercial and other groups to provide a unified regulatory service to clients establishing entities in Ireland.

Our Banking & Finance group offers expert advice across the full range of general banking, structured finance and aviation finance sectors.

Our Banking team regularly acts on cross-border financing transactions, particularly those with a funds-based element. Our team has also acted in a broad range of banking regulatory matters, including applications for a banking licence in Ireland, change of control procedures and advice on regulatory capital. We have in-depth knowledge of regulatory systems and culture, having acted both on the regulatory and industry sides in the past. We are also active in advising major players in the alternative financing market.

The Structured Finance team advises on a wide range of capital markets and structured finance products and related issues which involve the use of Irish companies. Common transactions on which the team advises include: CLOs, RMBS and other securitisation structures, fund-linked structured products, repackagings and debt issuance programmes. We also advise on regulatory issues impacting on structured finance vehicles including those in relation to the Prospectus Directive, Market Abuse Regulation, Transparency Directive, AIFMD, EMIR, MiFID and risk retention requirements for securitisations under the Capital Requirements Regulation (including funded originator structures and risk retention financing structures). Many of these structures may be replicated in the UK regulatory framework which will require migration in a post-Brexit environment. Similarly, certain aspects of current structures with UK-based elements or service providers may continue to require EU compliance following Brexit. Our Structured Finance team is highly experienced in all aspects of EU regulatory compliance, which commonly impacts structured finance transactions. Our partners are also heavily involved in the Irish Debt Securities Association ("IDSA"), an industry group which engages proactively with Irish government departments and public bodies in relation to the implementation of regulation and policy which may impact the structured finance industry.

Ireland has long been regarded as a leading jurisdiction for aviation finance and leasing, and our specialised Aviation Finance team across our firm is well positioned to advise on the laws of the Cayman Islands, Ireland and the British Virgin Islands. Although unlikely that aircraft leasing will be affected as much as other financial services industries after Brexit, there are still important considerations for the aircraft leasing industry. As leasing is a non-regulated activity, lessors do not need EU regulatory market access to operate, however, those lessors with leasing platforms in the UK may now look to further develop existing or new lessor bases in Ireland in light of Brexit uncertainties.

In addition to aircraft leasing and finance structure requirements, our Dublin-based team can also assist with regulatory matters should certain airlines consider restructuring operations and look to Ireland as a gateway to ensuring continued access to the EU Single Aviation Market and EU negotiated agreements with third countries (e.g. the EU-US open skies agreement).

Our leading, full service Corporate & Commercial group represents many international and indigenous clients in relation to their corporate and commercial requirements in an Irish law context. We leverage local knowledge with a global perspective to assist sophisticated clients in establishing green-field operations in Ireland, in acquiring Irish targets or in using Ireland as part of a global corporate structure.

As an open economy with an extensive range of international tax treaties and a pro-business environment, Ireland attracts undertakings from around the world. These businesses see value and opportunity in Ireland's offering and incorporate both trading subsidiaries and group holding companies in the jurisdiction.

Our Corporate & Commercial group in Dublin addresses all aspects of establishing and maintaining Irish companies and Irish commercial and business law matters. The practice provides clients with practical, timely and innovative solutions to handle complex transactions and arrangements. We have advised on some of the largest cross border transactions involving Ireland and routinely advise international businesses who establish in Ireland for the first time.

In the context of Brexit our range of services include:

• company formation and branch establishment;
• mergers and acquisitions;
• securities law and equity capital markets;
• equity financing and shareholder arrangements;
• group re-organisations;
• employment law and employee incentives;
• intellectual property protection, licensing and IP transfers;
• commercial contracts and outsourcing;
• privacy, data and other regulatory matters;
• partnerships and joint ventures; and
• competition law.

Amidst uncertainty as to whether there will be a 'hard' or 'soft' Brexit, Ireland is particularly attractive to businesses currently based in the UK, seeking a modern open economy with access to the EU.

Ireland has a sophisticated and attractive tax regime providing certainty and clarity to the many international investors and thousands of employees who currently reside here. Leading global companies, financial institutions, alternative investment funds and family offices have all chosen Ireland as a base of operations, as well as a jurisdiction for investment and management vehicles.

Ireland offers a 12.5% corporation tax rate on trading income, over 70 comprehensive double tax treaties, including with the UK, US and China and a clear and transparent VAT regime. As a member of the EU, Ireland retains the benefit and protection of the many EU directives relating to taxation, including the Mergers Directive and the Parent Subsidiary Directive. Ireland is at the forefront of the OECD BEPS project, ensuring that its tax regime is stable, reputable and compliant with international standards.

Ireland's tax system has the key features to be an ideal base for senior foreign executives in multinationals and financial institutions. The Irish rules regarding residence and domicile are similar to, yet far simpler than, many other jurisdictions, including the UK. A non-domiciled Irish tax resident individual is generally subject to tax on income from Irish sources only with non-Irish income only taxed on a remittance basis.

Ireland also offers a number of specific measures designed to facilitate internationally mobile staff including the Special Assignee Relief Programme (SARP), reducing income tax exposure for inbound assignees to Ireland and the Foreign Earnings Deduction (FED) which is relevant to staff who undertake significant activities outside Ireland.

Our Commercial Property group offers advice on all aspects of Irish real estate and construction law. The Irish real estate market has undergone significant restructuring in recent years to become a truly international market. Our team, with its local expertise, has been at the forefront in this transition, advising both domestic and international financial institutions and leading international investors on the acquisition, management and leasing of Irish real estate.

The Commercial Property group works closely with our market leading Investment Funds, Banking and Finance and Tax groups, collaborating efficiently and seamlessly to complete the most complex of real estate transactions within strict deadlines. These services have been in demand for entities establishing operations prior to Brexit and we are seeing increased demand for Irish property and office space as a result of new entities establishing in Ireland post-Brexit.

We have extensive experience advising international private equity and institutional investors on all property law aspects involved in the acquisition and management of Irish real estate assets. The team also specialise in commercial landlord and tenant law and regularly advises blue chip international entities on letting office space in the Dublin market.

We are committed to delivering the highest quality service and advice on:

• acquisition and management of Irish real estate assets;
• commercial landlord and tenant to include in particular office lettings of all sizes;
• investment acquisition and disposals (both commercial and residential projects);
• real estate funds;
• real estate finance; and
• construction law. 

Our Employment group advises domestic and international companies and senior executives on all aspects of Irish employment law, including drafting employment contracts and policies; governance procedures for board level senior executives; outsourcings under the transfer of undertakings regulations; disciplinary and grievance procedures; and enforcing post-termination restrictive covenants.

We also specialise in corporate immigration, advising on employment permit applications and appeals. In the context of Brexit, this advice can cover hiring new staff in Ireland, relocation of existing employees or contracting with local secondees. We have represented our clients before the employment tribunals and civil courts in Ireland and have in-house advocacy capabilities.

The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.