Practice groups

One of the 'most sought-after finance lawyers' in the Bahamas...recognized by clients for ‘producing good-quality work and giving sound advice’ and described as an ‘excellent, affable commercial lawyer who is concerned about meeting and managing client expectations.’
Chambers Global 2022

Christel Sands-Feaste is a partner in the law firm of Higgs & Johnson, based in The Bahamas, where she leads the firms practice groups in financial services, securities, investment funds, and Fintech.

A highly regarded lawyer for her specialist expertise in advising on financing transactions, securities (in The Bahamas and international capital markets), securitisations, and investment fund structuring, Christel has also developed a keen interest and expertise in emerging digital assets and related Fintech.

In addition to transactional work, Christel regularly advises clients on company legal issues including licensing and compliance matters as well as general corporate and operational activities.

Christel is ranked Tier 1, Band 1 in the General Business Law Category in Chambers Global legal directory, as a “Highly Regarded” attorney in The Bahamas in IFLR1000, and is included in the IFLR1000 Women Leaders List for her outstanding contribution as a female lawyer. She has been recommended as a ‘leading partner’ by Legal 500 Caribbean (Commercial Transactions) and Global Law Experts (Mergers & Acquisitions Law).

In 2014 Christel was honored to receive The Bahamas Financial Services Board’s (BFSB) award for ‘Financial Services Development & Promotion’ in recognition for her work as a member of the working group responsible for introducing the Bahamas Investment Condominium (ICON) a groundbreaking and innovative legal structure.

Christel is a member of the International Association of Gaming Advisors, the Investment Funds Working Group of the Bahamas Financial Services Board, President of the Nassau Chapter of Links Incorporated, and a Director of St. Andrew’s International School. She previously served as a Director of the Bahamas Financial Services Board, the Bahamas Chamber of Commerce and Employers Confederation (BCCEC) (also co-chairing its Ease of Doing Business Division), and as Vice Chairman of the Bahamas Hospitals and Health Care Facilities Licensing Board. She is a former member of the first Fiscal Responsibility Council constituted in The Bahamas as the representative for the BCCEC. Christel has also served as Vice President – legal for a family office and a leading Bahamian development company.

Industry sectors

  • Banking
  • Financial Services
  • Investment Management
  • Fintech
  • Hospitality
  • Utilities

Education

  • University of Reading (LL.B.), Reading, England
  • London School of Economics & Political Science (LL.M.), London, England

Bar admissions

  • England and Wales, 1998
  • The Bahamas, 1998

Professional memberships

  • The Honorable Society of the Middle Temple
  • Bahamas Bar Association
  • International Association of Gaming Advisors
  • Bahamas Chamber of Commerce and Employers Confederation (former Director)
  • Bahamas Financial Services Board (former Director)

Languages

  • English

Community

  • The Nassau Chapter of Links Incorporated

Experience

Recent transactions in which Christel has been involved include:

  • Acted for the issuer and a public utility in a proposed $535,000,000 securitization transaction that will be the first of its kind in the country.
  • Acted for lenders in a £85,000,000 refinancing transaction secured in part by a world renowned sporting facility.
  • Acted for the issuers in a US$45,000,000 letter of credit facility involving a publicly listed company in the energy sector.
  • Acted for a financial institution in connection with the restructuring of a group of investment funds to comply with the recently enacted Investment Funds Act, 2019 and the Investment Funds Regulations, 2020
  • Advised a prospective purchaser on the acquisition of a financial services business in The Bahamas.
  • Advised a vendor in connection with the management buy-out of a multi-jurisdictional financial services business, with a presence in The Bahamas.
  • Acted as Bahamian Counsel for a client acquiring a stem cell therapy clinic; involved in advising on all aspects on the transaction including contractual review and advising on regulatory and tax matters; obtaining all required approvals.
  • Acted as Bahamian Counsel in connection with a transaction involving (i) a $500MM first priority secured note facility and (ii) a $134MM second priority secured note facility. Involved with advising the Note Purchasers on all Bahamian matters relating to both facilities including: reviewing loan, security and corporate documentation, drafting security documentation and perfecting security.
  • Counsel for the Developer on Bahamian issues relating to a resort development, including government and regulatory approvals, real estate and other issues. Phase 1 of a multi-phased Project is estimated at $100,000,000. The Project will be operated by a five star hotel operator and will be the largest of its kind on the relevant Island in The Bahamas.
  • Advised on the formation and establishment of a Cryptocurrency Investment Fund.

Recognition

  • Women Leaders, IFLR1000
  • Leading Individual, Corporate Law, Legal 500 Caribbean
  • Top Ranked, General Business Law, Chambers Global
  • Highly Regarded, Financial & Corporate, IFLR1000
  • Recommended, Mergers & Acquisitions Law, Global Law Experts
  • Financial Services Development & Promotion Award, Bahamas Financial Services Board’s (BFSB)
One of the 'most sought-after finance lawyers' in the Bahamas...recognized by clients for ‘producing good-quality work and giving sound advice’ and described as an ‘excellent, affable commercial lawyer who is concerned about meeting and managing client expectations.’
Chambers Global 2022

Christel Sands-Feaste is a partner in the law firm of Higgs & Johnson, based in The Bahamas, where she leads the firms practice groups in financial services, securities, investment funds, and Fintech.

A highly regarded lawyer for her specialist expertise in advising on financing transactions, securities (in The Bahamas and international capital markets), securitisations, and investment fund structuring, Christel has also developed a keen interest and expertise in emerging digital assets and related Fintech.

In addition to transactional work, Christel regularly advises clients on company legal issues including licensing and compliance matters as well as general corporate and operational activities.

Christel is ranked Tier 1, Band 1 in the General Business Law Category in Chambers Global legal directory, as a “Highly Regarded” attorney in The Bahamas in IFLR1000, and is included in the IFLR1000 Women Leaders List for her outstanding contribution as a female lawyer. She has been recommended as a ‘leading partner’ by Legal 500 Caribbean (Commercial Transactions) and Global Law Experts (Mergers & Acquisitions Law).

In 2014 Christel was honored to receive The Bahamas Financial Services Board’s (BFSB) award for ‘Financial Services Development & Promotion’ in recognition for her work as a member of the working group responsible for introducing the Bahamas Investment Condominium (ICON) a groundbreaking and innovative legal structure.

Christel is a member of the International Association of Gaming Advisors, the Investment Funds Working Group of the Bahamas Financial Services Board, President of the Nassau Chapter of Links Incorporated, and a Director of St. Andrew’s International School. She previously served as a Director of the Bahamas Financial Services Board, the Bahamas Chamber of Commerce and Employers Confederation (BCCEC) (also co-chairing its Ease of Doing Business Division), and as Vice Chairman of the Bahamas Hospitals and Health Care Facilities Licensing Board. She is a former member of the first Fiscal Responsibility Council constituted in The Bahamas as the representative for the BCCEC. Christel has also served as Vice President – legal for a family office and a leading Bahamian development company.

Industry sectors

  • Banking
  • Financial Services
  • Investment Management
  • Fintech
  • Hospitality
  • Utilities

Education

  • University of Reading (LL.B.), Reading, England
  • London School of Economics & Political Science (LL.M.), London, England

Bar admissions

  • England and Wales, 1998
  • The Bahamas, 1998

Professional memberships

  • The Honorable Society of the Middle Temple
  • Bahamas Bar Association
  • International Association of Gaming Advisors
  • Bahamas Chamber of Commerce and Employers Confederation (former Director)
  • Bahamas Financial Services Board (former Director)

Languages

  • English

Community

  • The Nassau Chapter of Links Incorporated

Experience

Recent transactions in which Christel has been involved include:

  • Acted for the issuer and a public utility in a proposed $535,000,000 securitization transaction that will be the first of its kind in the country.
  • Acted for lenders in a £85,000,000 refinancing transaction secured in part by a world renowned sporting facility.
  • Acted for the issuers in a US$45,000,000 letter of credit facility involving a publicly listed company in the energy sector.
  • Acted for a financial institution in connection with the restructuring of a group of investment funds to comply with the recently enacted Investment Funds Act, 2019 and the Investment Funds Regulations, 2020
  • Advised a prospective purchaser on the acquisition of a financial services business in The Bahamas.
  • Advised a vendor in connection with the management buy-out of a multi-jurisdictional financial services business, with a presence in The Bahamas.
  • Acted as Bahamian Counsel for a client acquiring a stem cell therapy clinic; involved in advising on all aspects on the transaction including contractual review and advising on regulatory and tax matters; obtaining all required approvals.
  • Acted as Bahamian Counsel in connection with a transaction involving (i) a $500MM first priority secured note facility and (ii) a $134MM second priority secured note facility. Involved with advising the Note Purchasers on all Bahamian matters relating to both facilities including: reviewing loan, security and corporate documentation, drafting security documentation and perfecting security.
  • Counsel for the Developer on Bahamian issues relating to a resort development, including government and regulatory approvals, real estate and other issues. Phase 1 of a multi-phased Project is estimated at $100,000,000. The Project will be operated by a five star hotel operator and will be the largest of its kind on the relevant Island in The Bahamas.
  • Advised on the formation and establishment of a Cryptocurrency Investment Fund.

Recognition

  • Women Leaders, IFLR1000
  • Leading Individual, Corporate Law, Legal 500 Caribbean
  • Top Ranked, General Business Law, Chambers Global
  • Highly Regarded, Financial & Corporate, IFLR1000
  • Recommended, Mergers & Acquisitions Law, Global Law Experts
  • Financial Services Development & Promotion Award, Bahamas Financial Services Board’s (BFSB)