McKINNEY, BANCROFT & HUGHES is one of the largest and oldest firms in The Bahamas and conducts an extensive international and domestic practice from its offices in the cities of Nassau and Freeport. Established in 1945, the Firm’s philosophy of delivering superior levels of service by industry specialists was established by its founding partners, Donald McKinney, Sir Oswald Bancroft and Sir Leonard Knowles. Dr. Colin A. Hughes joined the partnership in 1947 following the departure of Sir Leonard Knowles and the Firm was restyled McKinney, Bancroft & Hughes. Since its inception McKinney, Bancroft & Hughes has grown from a small practice of three attorneys with a support staff of three to a team of over thirty attorneys with a support staff of more than one hundred. Originally housed in a single office in the Boyle Building, downtown Nassau, in 1990 the firm moved to offices located on George Street in the heart of Nassau. McKinney, Bancroft & Hughes also has offices at Lyford Cay in Western New Providence and in Freeport, the nation’s second city, on the Island of Grand Bahama.
Our Family Law practice group understands that every family has its own distinct dynamics and we offer customized services to meet these different needs. Our team is experienced in advising on all issues which may arise on the dissolution of marriage as well as issues relating to children. We always utilize a result oriented approach for any matter which can include litigation or mediation.
Our practice includes:
Our Corporate and Commercial practice group has substantial experience advising on the Bahamian aspects of international financing projects including, mergers and acquisitions, loan agreements, swap agreements and share purchase agreements. Our team has amassed a wealth of knowledge in the various areas and gives sound and commercially aware advice. We advise corporations of all sizes and individuals investing in The Bahamas on legal matters affecting their businesses, from formation to growth and development to succession. Our team is well versed in the varied wealth management vehicles offered in The Bahamas, and utilize many of the following:
Our full-service Immigration practice group acts on behalf of private and commercial clients with respect to making all immigration applications, including those for work permits, annual residency, permanent residency and citizenship.
Our practice includes:
Our Litigation and Dispute Resolution practice group is comprised of highly skilled specialists, who are effective and vigorous in arbitration matters as well as around the negotiating table. We have appeared in courts of first instance and every appellate court inclusive of the Privy Council. Our team is experienced and effective and provides professional advice to corporate and individual clients in all aspects of litigation disputes. Our areas of expertise include:
Our Labour and Employment practice group has extensive experience in all aspects of labour and employment law. We assist both the employer and the employee in navigating the challenges in the work place to avoid potential litigation, particularly, in the preparation of employment contracts, industrial agreements, bonuses, incentive programs, pension plans, as well as providing advice on severance, termination and redundancies. We also regularly represent parties in labour disputes and court actions.
Our practice includes:
Our Trust and Private Client group advises on most aspects of international trust and private client matters. The Firm has a wealth of experience in this area and its lawyers are frequently called upon to advise high net worth individuals and families on the use of the panoply of off shore Bahamian structures available to high net worth individuals and their families. Our lawyers are trained to think innovatively in addressing client needs and tailoring products and solutions as uniquely crafted as the individual who requires them. From advising on the use of a Settlor Reserved Powers Trust as a variant to the traditional discretionary trust to the use of a Purpose Trust in conjunction with a Private Trust Company, the Firm’s Trust and Private Client practice group is renowned for its cutting edge thinking.
Our Real Estate practice group advises clients on a broad range of commercial and private real estate matters, including the purchase and sale of private residences, vacation homes and investment properties. Our team understands the phases of the market and guides clients through a myriad of real estate transactions including those which are sophisticated and complex in nature. We advise on matters relating to all stages of development from obtaining the requisite planning permissions and approvals, through preparation and sales. Our full range of service includes:
