Robert is a partner in our Corporate Department. He specialises in advice on the establishment and restructure of all investment funds, having spent his entire legal career focusing on collective investment schemes in Cayman, England and Australia. He has a particular interest in impact investing where philanthropic outcomes are fused with commercial interests. Robert joined Campbells in 2003.
Robert C. Searle
Partner
"Robert Searle leads the pack as the most experienced, measured and capable offshore lawyer in the Asia region." - Legal 500, 2025
"Robert is very client-focused and seeks to give practical outcomes to clients. He is always available to discuss issues and is open to feedback."
- Chambers and Partners, 2024
Robert Searle is proactive, responsive, and provides commercially sensible advice.”
- Legal 500, 2023
One source finds him to be "very responsive, very helpful and very commercial," while another notes: "He doesn't only stand from the legal perspective but also from the client's perspective, and gives clear direction."
- Chambers and Partners, 2022
Overview
Expertise
- Investment funds
- Corporate finance
Work Highlights
- Robert was engaged by Asia Debt Management to work on a number of recent fund launches.
- Robert assisted Scotiabank to list various funds on the Cayman Islands Stock Exchange.
- Robert advised Fullerton Fund Management on the ongoing requirements of their Cayman Islands investment funds.
- Robert has advised Credit Suisse on investment fund launches relating to investment products.
- Robert provides advice to CITIC Securities on Cayman Islands law.
Qualifications and Admissions
- Bachelor of Laws (LLB)
- Master of Laws (LLM) – Corporate and Finance Law
- Bachelor of Accounting
- Solicitor of the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court (British Virgin Islands), 2012
- Solicitor of Supreme Court (England & Wales), 2003 (non-practising)
- Attorney at Law Cayman Islands, 2003
- Supreme Court of Queensland, 1998
Prior Career History
- SJ Berwin, London
- McCullough Robertson, Australia
Professional Associations
- Registered Foreign Lawyer of the Hong Kong Law Society
Recognition and Awards
- Robert is ranked in Chambers & Partners as a Foreign Expert Based Abroad for the Cayman Islands.
- Chambers Global 2017 reported that Robert is “very responsive, very knowledgeable” and able to “provide direct and effective advice.”
Publications and News
News
- Caribbean Regulatory Update - Q3 2024.
The Q3 Regulatory Update provides an overview of the main legal developments in the Cayman Islands and the British Virgin Islands from 1 July to 30 September 2024. - Campbells acts for ADM Capital in forming strategic partnership with Seviora Holdings.
Campbells Hong Kong is pleased to have advised ADM Capital, Hong Kong, on forming a strategic partnership with Seviora. - Campbells advised ChinaAMC Selected Bond Fund on its listing on the Cayman Islands Stock Exchange.
Our Hong Kong office has acted as the Cayman Islands legal counsel of ChinaAMC Selected Bond Fund in connection with the listing of four (4) share classes on the Cayman Islands Stock Exchange. - Campbells advised ADM Capital on its convertible loan facility to Square Yards, India’s largest integrated real estate platform.
Campbells acted as British Virgin Islands legal counsel to ADM Capital on its convertible loan facility to Square Yards, India’s largest integrated real estate platform.
Articles
- Hurricane season: Practical solutions for Cayman Islands funds.
This article discusses how Cayman funds and their investors can manage situations involving sanctioned investors and CIMA notifications following regulatory or other administrative action by foreign regulators.
Client Advisories
- Campbells’ Guide to the 2024 BVI Business Companies Act Amendments.
Demonstrating its commitment to ensuring that its financial services industry is aligned with international best practices, the BVI Business Companies (Amendment) Act, 2024 which makes various amendments to the BVI Business Companies Act (as revised), was published in the BVI Gazette on 26 September 2024. - Campbells advised Zhong Ou International Diversified Fund SPC on its CSX listing.
Our Hong Kong office has acted as the Cayman Islands legal counsel of Zhong Ou Dynamic Fixed Income Fund SP I in connection with the listing of its Class A Shares on the Cayman Islands Stock Exchange. - Changes to the Cayman Islands beneficial ownership regime.
Following our advisory issued on 11 October 2023, the Beneficial Ownership Transparency Act, 2023 and the Beneficial Ownership Transparency Regulations, 2024 were brought into force on 31 July 2024. - Deadline approaching to file the BVI Annual Financial Return.
Every BVI company is required to file with its registered agent an annual financial return within 9 months of either the company’s calendar year or, if the company’s financial year is not a calendar year, the company’s financial year.