Practice Areas

Cruzlaw LLP is a leading boutique law firm in Gibraltar. It took Limited Liability form in November 2017 but its origins are rooted in the establishment by founding partner Nicholas (“Nick”) Cruz as Cruz & Co in 1996. Over the years, the firm has developed an excellent reputation for its commercial approach and focus on client service. This has resulted in instructions from a global client base.

With a track record of providing cost effective practical solutions, the firm provides expertise in both contentious or non-contentious matters.

Litigation:

The Gibraltar Court is largely based on the High Court of England & Wales and the rules of the Supreme Court. As a firm, Cruzlaw have both a local and international client base and regularly appear in all Gibraltar tribunals and higher appeal courts.

Cruzlaw Barristers regularly appear in court in a variety of Commercial and Civil  litigation subject matters, including:

•Freezing Orders and other interlocutory injunctions

•Breach of contract and tort claims

•Landlord and tenant disputes

•Property law

•Fiduciary and fraud actions

•Banking & Finance

Insolvency:

In advising on a wide variety of issues ranging from straightforward ‘winding up’ to complex liquidations and re-structuring, Cruzlaw are regularly instructed by receivers, liquidators and trustees in bankruptcy from leading international accountancy firms. Cruzlaw have acted in many of the leading cases in Gibraltar in both the Gibraltar Supreme Court and the Gibraltar Court of Appeal. Nick Cruz has also led in liquidation related litigation before the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council (the UK’s Supreme Court).

Cruzlaw’s practical experience includes:

•Asset recovery and constructive trust proceedings

•Major insolvency and restructuring matters

•Complex liquidations, schemes of arrangement and corporate rescues

•Close liaison with forensic accountants to achieve optimum returns to creditors or shareholders

•Liquidation of all manner of companies and partnerships, both on conventional insolvency grounds and as a consequence of governmental or regulatory action in the ‘public interest’

•Acting for liquidators, provisional liquidators and other office-holders in addition to representing creditors, shareholders and directors in relation to the appointment and removal of such office-holders and claims brought by or against them

•Advising creditors’ on their rights and options for schemes of arrangement

Commercial and Dispute Resolution:

Cruzlaw has built a reputation on its approach to commercial resolution. From simple proceedings to complex cross-border issues, we combine technical ability with a proportionate commercial approach to secure a cost-effective and managed outcome.

Cruzlaw’s commercial practice areas include:

•Contractual negotiations & drafting

•Professional negligence claims

•Injunctive remedies

•Banking

•Insurance/reinsurance disputes

•Shareholder disputes

•Judicial review

•Commercial debt solutions

•Fraud and asset-tracing

•Alternative dispute resolution, including arbitration and mediation

Trusts Litigation:

Cruzlaw act for Protectors, Trustees, Settlors and Beneficiaries on all manner of claims, including:

• Validation and administration of trusts, including the consideration of sham trusts, constructive trusteeship and tracing claims
• Bringing or defending actions against trustees for breach of trust
• Resolving disputes among beneficiaries or between them and trustees
• Representation of minor and unascertained beneficiaries
• Applications for court approval for the variation or resettlement of trusts
• Applications to court for directions by trustees or beneficiaries

Admiralty:

Admiralty and maritime law of admiralty covers legal issues arising from all aspects of activities at sea involving international agreements and treaties. Disputes in this area could range from injuries and accidents to violations regarding shipping lanes, rights-of-way, waterborne commerce and maritime contracts of all descriptions.

Cruzlaw have considerable experience in Admiralty proceedings. The provisions of the Supreme Court Act 1981 – insofar as they relate to Admiralty proceedings – are applied to Gibraltar by Orders in Council. Thus, the practice and procedure of the Admiralty jurisdiction within Gibraltar is almost identical to the Admiralty Court of England and Wales.

Cruzlaw are experienced in dealing with most common actions in rem arising from:

•Mortgages

•Charter parties

•Crew claims

•Management contracts

•Shipping arrest and international treaties

•Marine litigation, including protection and indemnity representation

Employment:

Our broad local practice includes advice and representation in all employment related matters. In 2010 Cruz & Co its predecessor was selected by the Employment Law Alliance (an international network of specialized employment lawyers) to be its Gibraltar member. This gives our clients and their corporate groups a global reach that is undoubtedly unique to any Gibraltar firm including at no costs access to the global employer handbook that is an A-Z in employment law and regulations in Gibraltar and elsewhere in an easy to read format (a sure way to reduce costs and avoid mistakes).

Our clients represent a diverse range of industry and service sectors and we are instructed in both contentious and non-contentious matters. As advocates, we represent both employer and employee parties in the industrial tribunal through to the Court of Appeal. Our work includes:

• Drafting contracts of employment, company handbooks, discipline and grievance procedures
• Unfair, wrongful and constructive dismissal
• Discrimination
• Employee rights
• Bullying and stress at work

Our experience in personal injury litigation additionally gives us the expertise to deal with employment related accidents and disease including:

• Road traffic accidents at work including low velocity impact & fatal accident claims
• Employer’s liability
• Public liability
• Industrial disease
• Work related upper limb disorders
• Occupational stress
• Special needs trusts
• Coroner’s inquests

We have been involved in complex claims requiring life-long care provisions, domestic adaptation facilities and whole life loss of earnings and pensions acting for both employers and employees.

Conveyancing and Property

Cruzlaw provide a full range of services in the acquisition and sale/lease of both residential and commercial property in Gibraltar. Cruzlaw is on the panel of most of Gibraltar’s major banks and consequently Cruzlaw’s services extend to assisting clients with mortgage finance and redemption upon sale.

Cruzlaw also advise on commercial leases and rental agreements and offer a full drafting service.

Looking for a property in Gibraltar, please visit our preferred partner website www.savills.gi