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A: It really comes down to the unique combination of three things: the quality and variety of work on offer; the high financial rewards; and the work-life balance. The Cayman Islands, for example, is a leading financial centre and so barristers here are working on complex, high-value, cross-border disputes. The legal market is smaller, meaning greater exposure to higher quality work and the opportunity to be involved in the creation and development of jurisprudence. Competitive, tax-free salaries make the work extremely financially rewarding and this, combined with all the benefits of living on a Caribbean island, means working offshore is a very appealing prospect for barristers contemplating their future career options.
A: There is a real demand among the leading offshore law firms for junior commercial and chancery barristers with experience in complex commercial disputes, insolvency and trusts, as well as opportunities for those with broader civil, regulatory or family finance practices. As part of a relatively small team, you would undertake a range of advisory and advocacy work, with scope to expand and diversify your experience across a range of multi-jurisdictional matters. The ‘HNWIs’ or companies doing business in these jurisdictions will invariably have interests or assets elsewhere in a variety of structures, often resulting in complex concurrent proceedings. This necessitates collaboration with foreign legal teams and navigating jurisdictional and enforcement issues, making for an interesting, dynamic and challenging practice.
A: Perhaps most significantly, you would be employed. I know from experience that to forego the freedom of self-employment is difficult, but there is also a great deal of freedom associated with having a guaranteed income every month, full private health insurance, a pension and never having to get on another 5am train to a far-flung court centre! Having a routine can be virtually impossible to achieve at the Bar, whereas working in a firm offers structure and the ability to make plans outside of work, while still allowing for flexibility within the working day. Being part of a team also means collaborating on strategy, tactics and case management throughout the litigation process.
A: The working day is usually 8.30am-5.30pm; as you might expect, there are times when longer hours are required, but your office is unlikely to be more than about ten minutes from where you live and there is a single, centrally located court centre. A typical day usually comprises a mixture of drafting pleadings, skeleton arguments or opinions; legal research; client conferences; and liaising with other parties, expert witnesses, instructed silks etc. Regular seminars and networking events make for a lively and collegiate atmosphere among the profession.
A: It’s wonderful. Here in the Cayman Islands we have all the facilities, restaurants and modern infrastructure you would expect from a leading financial centre, but with the addition of incredible white sandy beaches and year-round sunshine – everything you need to enjoy life in paradise. The lack of commute and convenience of island life means you can really make the most of your time.
A: As a UK-qualified lawyer you would be eligible to practise offshore without the need to sit any exams or cross-qualify; the legal systems, principles and procedures are based on UK law which makes for an easy transition. Most barristers retain close connections with chambers and that enduring relationship often proves mutually beneficial. The relocation process itself is a straightforward and well-trodden path. SteppingStones Legal will provide you with insight, advice and guidance from the outset, helping you settle into island life.
Charlotte was an experienced criminal barrister in the UK before relocating to the Cayman Islands in 2019 with her partner (also a barrister and who now works with one of the leading offshore law firms). She works alongside the leading law firms in Cayman and other offshore jurisdictions and her background and experience means she is uniquely placed to understand the needs of barristers contemplating a move overseas. See: www.steppingstonesrecruitment.com/legal
A: It really comes down to the unique combination of three things: the quality and variety of work on offer; the high financial rewards; and the work-life balance. The Cayman Islands, for example, is a leading financial centre and so barristers here are working on complex, high-value, cross-border disputes. The legal market is smaller, meaning greater exposure to higher quality work and the opportunity to be involved in the creation and development of jurisprudence. Competitive, tax-free salaries make the work extremely financially rewarding and this, combined with all the benefits of living on a Caribbean island, means working offshore is a very appealing prospect for barristers contemplating their future career options.
A: There is a real demand among the leading offshore law firms for junior commercial and chancery barristers with experience in complex commercial disputes, insolvency and trusts, as well as opportunities for those with broader civil, regulatory or family finance practices. As part of a relatively small team, you would undertake a range of advisory and advocacy work, with scope to expand and diversify your experience across a range of multi-jurisdictional matters. The ‘HNWIs’ or companies doing business in these jurisdictions will invariably have interests or assets elsewhere in a variety of structures, often resulting in complex concurrent proceedings. This necessitates collaboration with foreign legal teams and navigating jurisdictional and enforcement issues, making for an interesting, dynamic and challenging practice.
A: Perhaps most significantly, you would be employed. I know from experience that to forego the freedom of self-employment is difficult, but there is also a great deal of freedom associated with having a guaranteed income every month, full private health insurance, a pension and never having to get on another 5am train to a far-flung court centre! Having a routine can be virtually impossible to achieve at the Bar, whereas working in a firm offers structure and the ability to make plans outside of work, while still allowing for flexibility within the working day. Being part of a team also means collaborating on strategy, tactics and case management throughout the litigation process.
A: The working day is usually 8.30am-5.30pm; as you might expect, there are times when longer hours are required, but your office is unlikely to be more than about ten minutes from where you live and there is a single, centrally located court centre. A typical day usually comprises a mixture of drafting pleadings, skeleton arguments or opinions; legal research; client conferences; and liaising with other parties, expert witnesses, instructed silks etc. Regular seminars and networking events make for a lively and collegiate atmosphere among the profession.
A: It’s wonderful. Here in the Cayman Islands we have all the facilities, restaurants and modern infrastructure you would expect from a leading financial centre, but with the addition of incredible white sandy beaches and year-round sunshine – everything you need to enjoy life in paradise. The lack of commute and convenience of island life means you can really make the most of your time.
A: As a UK-qualified lawyer you would be eligible to practise offshore without the need to sit any exams or cross-qualify; the legal systems, principles and procedures are based on UK law which makes for an easy transition. Most barristers retain close connections with chambers and that enduring relationship often proves mutually beneficial. The relocation process itself is a straightforward and well-trodden path. SteppingStones Legal will provide you with insight, advice and guidance from the outset, helping you settle into island life.
Charlotte was an experienced criminal barrister in the UK before relocating to the Cayman Islands in 2019 with her partner (also a barrister and who now works with one of the leading offshore law firms). She works alongside the leading law firms in Cayman and other offshore jurisdictions and her background and experience means she is uniquely placed to understand the needs of barristers contemplating a move overseas. See: www.steppingstonesrecruitment.com/legal
Update from the Chair of the Bar
By David Green
Mário Barroso, Head of R&D and Method Development at AlphaBiolabs, examines the forensic science underpinning hair drug testing, its evidential scope and limitations, and why it remains the gold standard for evidencing patterns of drug use in family proceedings
Unlocking your aged debt to fund your tax in one easy step. By Philip N Bristow
Clement Cowley, Partner at The Penny Group, discusses the upcoming changes to pensions and Inheritance Tax and the potential impact on your financial future
Save the Children UK is the latest charity to benefit from a £500 donation from AlphaBiolabs via the company’s Giving Back initiative
The Chief Legal Officer to the Metropolitan Police, barrister Brett Welch, tells Anthony Inglese CB about his mission and the work to turn the Met around
Barrister apprenticeships – shortly to provide the fourth pathway to the Bar – are an ideal opportunity to support local talent and ‘grow your own’, say Tim Coulson and Dr Jane Dennehy
Grok around and find out – or not? Mariya Peykova investigates the nudification scandal, what the law has to say about sexually explicit deepfakes, and whether stronger regulation is needed
Oliver Lewis spotlights an overlooked yet rapidly evolving area of law – coercive and controlling behaviour within care contexts
For one night only at Middle Temple Hall (Sunday 26 July 2026) – Abigail Bright introduces the famed annual fundraising theatrical event. This year, Martin Shaw and Jason Watkins perform John Mortimer’s The Dock Brief, a mixture of farce and pathos and all in support of the work of the Kalisher Trust in its 30th year
