Malachi Sweetman

Malachi Sweetman is a partner in Maples and Calder’s Dispute Resolution & Insolvency team in the Maples Group’s Cayman Islands office. He has extensive experience in Cayman Islands commercial litigation, specialising in shareholder disputes and fair value merger appraisal proceedings under Section 238 (s.238) of the Cayman Islands Companies Act. His practice encompasses a broad range of financial and commercial disputes, private equity disputes, limited partnership disputes, shareholder agreements and cross-border insolvency proceedings.

Malachi frequently appears, including as an advocate, in proceedings before the Financial Services Division of the Grand Court of the Cayman Islands, most notably in a number of lengthy s.238 merger appraisal trials in recent years. He also regularly appears before the Cayman Islands Court of Appeal.

His recent significant matters include the Cayman Islands merger appraisal disputes involving 51job and 58.com, two of the most noteworthy s.238 disputes to go to trial, as well as matters involving Sina Corporation, Chindata and FGL Holdings. He also recently secured the dismissal of a winding-up petition against Uphold Limited.

Malachi is recognised for his dispute resolution work by leading legal directories. The Legal 500 has recommended him as a Next Generation Partner, with clients saying: “Malachi is smart, strategic, terrific at developing a strong factual record, but equally smart about sifting out what really matters so he can weave together a compelling litigation narrative on behalf of our clients“. Chambers and Partners has recognised him as an Up-and-Coming partner, saying: “Malachi Sweetman has a solid litigation practice and is an increasingly respected member of the team. He is particularly noted in the field of shareholder litigation, with notable strength in fair-value appraisal and insolvency-related matters.”

Malachi joined the Maples Group in 2010 in the Ireland office before relocating to the Cayman Islands office in 2018. He was elected as a partner in 2024. Before joining the Maples Group, Malachi practised as a barrister at the Irish Bar.