Please tell us about Cort and Cort.

Cort & Cort was established over 30 years ago, by Dr. L. Errol Cort who is a qualified Barrister and holds a PHD in Economics from Dalhousie University, Canada anad a Masters Degree in law from Oxford University, England. It is one of the leading law firms in Antigua and Barbuda comprising of highly qualified attorneys and other professionals.

I am an Attorney-at-Law by profession and a partner in the firm of Cort & Cort. I have been in the practice of law with Cort & Cort for 23 years. I was called to the Bar in England & Wales in 1997. My prior education includes a Bachelor of Commerce Degree from St. Mary’s University, Canada and a Masters Degree in Law with a specialty in Public Law from the University of London (University College London), London, England.   

At Cort & Cort we offer a range of professional and legal services which includes citizenship application services together with property conveyancing, company incorporations and other corporate services. I became a Licensed Agent for the Antigua & Barbuda Citizenship by Investment Programme when the programme commenced in 2013. As a Licensed Agent and through our firm, I successfully processed the first CIP application in Antigua and Barbuda.

Our group of associated companies includes Antigua and Barbuda Sotheby’s International Realty which offers among other services: property sales and rentals to include luxury accommodation bookings.  They also offer property management and concierge services. Antigua and Barbuda Sotheby’s International Realty also has listings for various properties which are approved for sale under the property investment option of the Antigua and Barbuda Citizenship by Investment Programme. 

We are able to offer a seamless service to our clients who obtain the benefit of the convenience of leveraging the combined professional services of our group. Our clients are also assured of  confidentiality in that their needs can be met without having to outsource services.

How would you describe your personalised approach for applicants and investors?

Being involved in the CIP from its inception has given me a good understanding of not just the programme itself but it has also provided an in-depth knowledge of the requirements to successfully navigate the application process. Years of experience has proved useful in understanding the needs of the applicants and being able to respond to such needs in an efficient and bespoke manner. Through Cort & Cort and our associated companies, we are able to facilitate both the processing of the applicant’s application and other business requirements that applicants may have after they have attained Antigua and Barbuda citizenship via the successful processing of their CIP application.

Successful applicants are required to spend five days in Antigua and Barbuda during the first five years of citizenship. While this requirement has been temporarily suspended (until 31st August 2022), it is anticipated that most new citizens will want to visit Antigua and Barbuda as soon as they are able to. Good air links exist to and from Europe, the United Kingdom and the United States of America, and our ideal location makes the trip easily achievable. A personalised approach to the applicants’ needs, including the provision by our associated company of booking accommodations, airport fast-track and pick-up any required concierge services during their visit to Antigua extends our services to applicants beyond just the processing of their application. Our clients are not only guided through the application process from start to finish, but we can also assist in navigating any other investment opportunities that successful applicants may wish to pursue.

Do you agree that the COVID-19 pandemic has more than ever exposed the need for investors and families to have a plan B?

The COVID-19 pandemic has amplified the need for flexibility when applicants are considering options for their personal welfare and that of their family. The ability to quickly relocate before possible border closures is a benefit arising from a second citizenship. Particularly, investors and their families would wish to place optimal value on their health, and as such, may want to consider that Antigua and Barbuda has managed to keep the COVID-19 virus under control. This offers the chance for investors and their families to escape the stresses of isolating in less than optimal environments that may exist in their country of origin and to do so in “paradise”.  Significant investment has also been made by our government in medical resources and infrastructure to cope with any possible rise in infectious diseases. Further, Island Academy International School located in Antigua offers the International Baccalaureate programme and is able to facilitate the continuation of the educational process for children of families of new citizens wishing to relocate to Antigua and Barbuda.

What is your track record in obtaining approvals?

Our firm has an outstanding track record in obtaining CIP approvals. Our knowledge and experience in processing applications and the very experienced and competent team that is involved in supporting the process via myself as Licensed Agent, assures that all viable applications are successfully processed in a very efficient manner.

There will be some major changes to the Antigua and Barbuda Citizenship Programme, what is Cort and Cort’s view on this?

The CIP must respond to the dynamic nature of the industry and the needs of potential applicants. Global events such as the COVID-19 pandemic and its far-reaching effects also inevitably impact upon this as well.  Change is therefore not just inevitable but also very necessary to ensure the continued viability of the CIP.

Should investors reach out to an approved Local Agent first prior to making a comparative analysis or decision between the National Development Fund or Real Estate? And if so why?

Thorough research always assists investors in arriving at an informed and sound decision. Reaching out to a Licensed Agent for information would not only present an investor with more specificity from someone who would have more knowledge and expertise in the local market, it may well present opportunities that would be a good fit for the investor’s personal investment plan, whether short term or long term. The intricacies and nuances involved in making a decision that would best suit the objectives of the investor may be lost if he/she relies only on a general presentation of the options by someone externally who may not be aware of all of the information and knowledge that would assist the investor in arriving at the most suitable decision. As a Licensed Agent, I remain available to assist in any comparative analysis that an investor may wish to obtain and to facilitate the efficient processing of proposed CIP applications.