Chris Newton
Managing Partner
- British Virgin Islands
Areas of Expertise
Chris is Managing Partner of Maples and Calder’s British Virgin Islands office and Head of the firm’s global BVI practice. His practice spans corporate, finance and restructuring matters, with particular expertise in IPOs, mergers and acquisitions, all types of secured lending as well as distressed and special situations, including restructurings, workouts and enforcement matters.
Chris advises financial institutions, investment funds, sponsors, multinational businesses and high-net-worth investors on complex cross-border transactions. He also provides strategic counsel to public companies on governance, regulatory and transactional matters
Chris is a trusted adviser to clients across North America, LATAM, the Middle East and other key international markets. Recognised by all leading legal directories, he is ranked Band 1 by Chambers and Partners, a “Leading Partner” by Legal 500 and a “Market Leader” by IFLR1000. Clients value his commercial judgement and pragmatic advice, with one noting: “Chris Newton has a practical and business-minded approach. He is adept at managing complex transactions and drafting clear, precise documents that protect our interests.”
Beyond his client practice, Chris holds several key leadership roles within the Maples Group, helping to drive the strategic direction and operational leadership of the firm’s BVI business and its wider service offering. He also serves as a director of BVI Finance and regularly contributes to governmental working groups and committees relevant to the BVI financial services industry.
Chris joined the Maples Group in 2016. Prior to joining, he was with an international law firm in the British Virgin Islands. Before moving to the British Virgin Islands in 2012, Chris was a member of the Banking and Corporate Recovery team at Travers Smith in London, where he also trained. Chris is ranked in Chambers Global, IFLR1000 and been recommended in the Legal 500 as a ‘Leading Individual’. Clients describe him as ‘without doubt one of the most detailed and smart lawyers I have had the opportunity to work with. His attention to detail and practical implementation when navigating challenging restructuring and other projects have been pivotal to the successes that we have shared,’ and commenting that ‘Chris Newton and his team are very committed to providing innovative and timely solutions to their clients’ needs.’
Bar Admissions
2008 – Admitted as a solicitor in England and Wales (not practising)
2012 – Admitted as a solicitor of the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court (British Virgin Islands)
Education
New College, University of Oxford, 2004