Sara Galletly

Overview

I'm a BVI and Cayman Islands Partner currently based in our Cayman Islands office, part of our specialist global financial services and regulatory team, focussing on regulatory developments impacting fund, finance and corporate structures and regulated entities. 

I have significant experience with both Cayman Islands and British Virgin Islands regulatory matters; including anti-money laundering, beneficial ownership, economic substance, regulation of Cayman funds and other vehicles, sanctions, data protection and other evolving regulatory regimes, as well as licensing applications, inspections and enforcement matters. Prior to specializing in regulatory law, my offshore practice focused on investment funds (both hedge funds and private equity), as well as general corporate law and structured finance transactions. 

Prior to joining Mourant in 2016, I worked for an offshore law firm for nine years in both their London and Cayman Islands offices.

I trained at Nabarro Nathanson (now CMS Cameron McKenna Nabarro Olswang LLP) in London.

I am the Secretary of and sit on the Executive Committee of AIMA Cayman.

Professional qualifications

• British Virgin Islands, 2009
• Cayman Islands, 2004-2014
• England and Wales, 2001 (non-practising)

What the directories say 

In Legal 500 Caribbean 2025, Sara is ranked as a Leading Partner in Regulatory and Compliance in the Cayman Islands and a Recommended Lawyer in Regulatory and Compliance in the BVI. A source comments: "Sara Galletly is the most experienced regulatory and compliance partners our firm has worked with in Cayman." Another adds: "Sara Galletly and her team, in particular, have been fantastic to work with...the high level of quality work and the in-depth analysis provided sets them apart."

In Legal 500 Caribbean 2024, Sara is ranked as a Leading Individual in Regulatory and Compliance in the Cayman Islands and is a Recommended Lawyer in both Regulatory and Compliance and Corporate and Commercial in the BVI. 

In Chambers and Partners Global 2024, Sara is individually ranked in Financial Services: Regulatory. She's described as being "an exceptionally competent and knowledgeable partner with extensive regulatory experience" who is "very close to the pulse of things in Cayman." Another source adds: "Sara has made herself a go-to person in the Cayman Islands for regulatory matters. She has a fantastic commercial approach, especially with new legislation, and has demonstrated her prescience in the application of new laws."

Sara is recognised as a Notable Practitioner in Financial Services Regulatory in IFLR1000 2023.

In Chambers and Partners Global 2023, Sara is individually ranked in Financial Services: Regulatory. A source in the guide says: "The service Sara provides is timely, thorough and practical", with another adding: "Sara is very supportive of our business, and responsive too."

In Legal 500 Caribbean 2023, Sara is recognised as a Leading Individual for Regulatory and Compliance in the Cayman Islands and is a Recommended Lawyer in Regulatory and Compliance and Corporate and Commercial in the British Virgin Islands.

"Pragmatic and pro-active in her approach and instantly understood what we needed to achieve and the time-frame." Legal 500, 2020.