Barnabas Finnigan is Partner in the London Corporate practice. His practice encompasses all aspects of corporate finance and banking law, with a particular focus on aviation and shipping finance transactions.

He advises a broad range of clients in connection with the entry into complex cross-border and multi-jurisdictional transactions including asset finance, project finance, structured finance, cross border financing, merger and acquisitions, and Cayman Islands stock exchange listings. Barnabas has worked on a number of market leading ABS transactions and has advised lessors on portfolio acquisitions and transfers as well as working on structured solutions for clients across the aviation industry in connection with the acquisition, financing and leasing of their aircraft. He also regularly assists Cayman Islands issuer vehicles in connection with the establishment and entry into repackaging and note issuance programs and other structured finance transactions.

Barnabas has previously contributed to the Cayman Islands chapter of The Aviation Law Review (3rd-7th Editions). He was also recognised as one of Airline Economics’ “40 under 40” leading individuals in aviation finance in 2020. He is recognised in the 2024 edition of Legal 500 Caribbean for his banking, finance and capital markets expertise.

Jurisdiction

Experience

  • Advised an alternative asset manager in connection with the entry by its Cayman Islands subsidiary into a bespoke participation transaction with a major European bank relating to a participation by the Cayman subsidiary in certain INR denominated debentures issued by an Indian construction engineering investment company
  • Assisted with the establishment of, and providing on-going corporate and finance advice to, certain aircraft leasing platforms, including assisting with corporate structuring matters and advising on aircraft financing, acquisition and disposal activity on an on-going basis;
  • Acted for the issuer vehicles in connection with a number of market leading aircraft ABS/portfolio securitisation transactions;
  • Advised owners, operators and lenders on local aircraft registration requirements and assisting with the registration of mortgages over locally registered private and commercial aircraft;
  • Assisted an aviation client in connection with the establishment of an entity within the Cayman Islands Special Economic Zone’s Maritime and Aviation City; and advising various financial institutions in connection with the establishment and on-going management of certain note issuing vehicles for the purpose of repackaging transactions, either as standalone entities or as part of a wider programme.

Qualifications

Professional Background

  • Reed Smith (formerly Richards Butler), London – Trainee Solicitor
  • Richards Butler, Hong Kong – Trainee Solicitor
  • Norton Rose, London – Associate
  • Maples and Calder, Cayman Islands – Associate
  • Maples and Calder, Dublin – Associate (on secondment)

Education

  • BPP Law School Leeds, Legal Practice Course, 2005
  • Leeds Business School, Graduate Diploma in Law, 2004
  • Durham University, BA (Hons) Dunelm, History (2:1), 2003

Bar Admissions

  • Cayman Islands, Attorney-at-law, 2012
  • England and Wales, Solicitor, 2008

Awards & Accolades

  • Recognised in the 2024 edition of Legal 500 Caribbean (foreign based expertise; banking, finance and capital markets)

Associations

  • Law Society of England and Wales
  • Cayman Islands Legal Practitioner’s Association
  • Member of the education committee of the Cayman Islands Legal Practitioner’s Association

 

Publications

The Aviation Law Review (7th Edition) – Cayman Islands chapter

The Aviation Law Review (6th Edition) – Cayman Islands chapter