Robert C. Searle

Partner, Head of Corporate, Hong Kong
D +852 3708 3014C +852 9010 1232E LinkedIn download vCard PDF bio
Robert C. Searle - Managing Partner, Campbells Hong Kong - Corporate Law
“Robert Searle is familiar with how we work; he is generally available and responds promptly with helpful advice and input.” - Chambers & Partners, 2025
"Robert Searle leads the pack as the most experienced, measured and capable offshore lawyer in the Asia region." - Legal 500 Asia Pacific, 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 Asia Pacific, 2023

Overview

Robert is a partner and heads up our Corporate Department in Hong Kong.

Robert 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 also assists various institutional managers to list various funds on the Cayman Islands Stock Exchange (CSX).

Robert has a particular interest in impact investing where philanthropic outcomes are fused with commercial interests. He joined Campbells in 2003.

Expertise

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 (now King & Wood Mallesons), London
  • McCullough Robertson, Australia

Professional Associations

  • Registered Foreign Lawyer of the Hong Kong Law Society

Recognition and Awards

  • Lead lawyer in Offshore: Corporate & Finance including Investment Funds – Chambers Asia Pacific
  • Leading Individual in Offshore law firm (Hong Kong) – Legal 500 Asia Pacific
  • Highly Regarded in Investment Funds: Offshore (Hong Kong) – IFLR1000
  • Offshore Client Choice List – Asia Legal Business
  • The A List, Offshore’s Top 50 Lawyers – Asia Business Legal Journal

Publications and News

News

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Articles

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. 
  • Changes to the Cayman Islands beneficial ownership regime.
    The Beneficial Ownership Transparency Act, 2023 and the Beneficial Ownership Transparency Regulations, 2024 were brought into force on 31 July 2024, with enforcement relating to the new requirements under the Act commencing on 1 January 2025.
  • 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.
  • Amendments to the Cayman Islands Companies Act.
    The purposes of the Amendment Act is to make innovative commercial enhancements to the Companies Act; however, it has been gazetted, but is not yet in force.
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