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Michael J Fay
+284 494 0525
Simon Schilder
+284 494 0525
Ray Wearmouth
+284 852 7364

Harney Westwood & Riegels remains the British Virgin Island's oldest and largest law firm. In a surprise move in September, the firm opened up in the Cayman Islands through a merger with local Cayman firm Gill & Co. Partners Kieron O'Rourke (global head of investment funds) and funds partner Tim Clipstone were relocated to Cayman from the BVI, and are now co-heads of the firm's new office. Harney Westwood & Riegels's international network of offices now spans Anguilla, London, Hong Kong and the Cayman Islands. The firm has also taken initial steps into Cyprus through a strategic alliance with Cypriot firm Aristodemou Loizides Yiolitis LLC.

Harney Westwood & Riegels's most notable competitors include several global international offshore firms that opened up a BVI office in recent years. Conyers Dill & Pearman, the first open in the BVI, in, fields a highly experienced corporate litigation team and is also strong in corporate and finance. Maples and Calder fields one of the strongest funds teams and is also particularly strong in dispute resolution. Boasting a hugely experienced litigation team, Ogier is also very highly regarded in corporate and finance, particularly following the arrival of expert partner Ray Wearmouth, from Harney Westwood & Riegels. Walkers's BVI team includes a number of ex-City of London lawyers, and stands out particularly for its expertise in funds. Appleby is also highly regarded in corporate and finance work.

A number of local BVI firms also receive praise from clients, of which Farara Kerins - Barristers & Solicitors, Forbes Hare, O'Neal Webster - Barristers & Solicitors and Price Findlay & Co stand out.

The arrival of Withers to the BVI has also promised to increase the levels of competitiveness between law firms on the island. The firm has set up shop with litigation partner Jeremy Scott and corporate partner John Greenwood relocating from London. The move comes after the firm hired Ziva Robertson, former head of trust litigation at Mourant du Feu & Jeune's Cayman office. The firm will focus on cross-border services covering corporate and trust disputes; insolvency and restructuring; banking and finance, and funds.

Press releases

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Legal Developments worldwide

Legal Developments and updates from the leading lawyers in each jurisdiction. To contribute, send an email request to
  • Labour & Employment

    1 What are the main statutes and regulations relating to employment? The main statutes relating to employment are the Portuguese Employment Code (approved by Law 7/2009 of 12 February 2009) and the Regulation of the Employment Code (Law 35/2004 of 29 July 2004) which is still in force notwithstanding the fact that parts have been revoked with the entry into force of the new Employment Code. Within the Employment Code, the vast majority of the rules are mandatory and, therefore, can only be modified by agreement of the parties and only if such amendment is intended to improve the position or rights of the employees.
    - F. Castelo Branco & Associados
  • Real Estate/ Property/ Infrastructure

    Norms for highway projects pact changed
    - Seth Dua & Associates
  • Projects, Energy & Natural Resources

    Power
    - Seth Dua & Associates
  • Litigation and Dispute Resolution

    Case Laws
    - Seth Dua & Associates
  • Intellectual Property Rights

    Amendments in Information Technology Act, 2000 The Information Technology (Amendment) Act, 2008 has come into force from October 27, 2009. Some key amendments in the Information Technology Act, 2000 (“IT Act”) are highlighted below:
    - Seth Dua & Associates
  • Cross Border Investments & Transactions

     
    - Seth Dua & Associates
  • Capital Markets/ Securities

    Amendments in (Substantial Acquisition of Shares and Takeovers) Regulations, 1997
    - Seth Dua & Associates
  • Trade Laws and WTO Matters

    Certain important and recent legal developments in this area are set out below.
    - Seth Dua & Associates
  • Taxation – Direct Taxes

    Income-tax (Dispute Resolution Panel) Rules, 2009
    - Seth Dua & Associates
  • Indirect Taxes

    Goods and Service Tax
    - Seth Dua & Associates

Press releases

The latest news direct from law firms. If you would like to submit press releases for your firm, send an email request to
  • KF Fastigheter develops the trade area Mobilia in Lund

    KF Fastigheter has acquired parts of the trade area Mobilia in Lund, and will together with Arne Paulssons Byggnads AB develop the area, including i.a. a Coop supermarket. KF Fastigheter has in connection herewith sold a larger property in central Lund to Paulssons. Mannheimer Swartling advised KF Fastigheter.
    Mannheimer Swartling
  • Kaul and Capol sold to Riverside

    Mannheimer Swartling has advised the owners in the sale of Kaul GmbH and UK-affiliate, Capol UK Ltd., to The Riverside Company.
    Mannheimer Swartling
  • Proventus establishes vehicle for investments in corporate loans and bonds

    Mannheimer Swartling has advised Proventus in connection with the establishment of Proventus Capital Partners – a co-investment vehicle focusing on corporate loans and corporate bonds. The investment strategy for this vehicle also allows direct loans to companies and the ambition is to contribute with financing to mid-sized companies in need of capital for growth or restructuring when these companies are unable to secure traditional bank financing.
    Mannheimer Swartling
  • Protego Real Estate Investors selling Swedish retail properties

    Protego Real Estate Investors has been advised by Mannheimer Swartling on the sale of twelve retail properties situated throughout Sweden for a total value of approximately SEK 210 million.
    Mannheimer Swartling
  • Teracom divests its broadband business

    Mannheimer Swartling has advised the Teracom Group in the divestiture of its subsidiary Comet Networks to CSIT. Comet Networks operates the Group's broadband business, currently reaching more than 650,000 households and 80,000 businesses in approximately 50 municipalities in Sweden.
    Mannheimer Swartling
  • Södra Timber acquires Trivselhus

    Mannheimer Swartling has advised Södra Timber in connection with its acquisition of Ittur Prefab Industrier AB, the parent company of the Trivselhus Group, one of Sweden’s leading producers of prefabricated homes. Closing is expected to take place on 1 October 2009. The transaction is subject to inter alia competition clearance.
    Mannheimer Swartling
  • Varian Medical Systems selected for new proton therapy centre

    Mannheimer Swartling has assisted Varian Medical Systems in entering into agreements for delivery of a proton therapy system to Skandionkliniken. The agreements include supply of an estimated USD 60 million in products. Varian Medical Systems will also have a five year service agreement valued at approximately USD 25 million. Skandionkliniken is the first clinical centre for proton therapy in Scandinavia and will have a capacity of treating 1,000 – 2,500 cancer patients per year. Varian Medical Systems is the world’s leading manufacturer of medical devices and software for treating cancer.
    Mannheimer Swartling
  • Wallhamn, Sweden’s largest private port, gains approvals for expansion

    Mannheimer Swartling has advised Wallhamn AB on matters related to gaining approval for expansion of the port’s fairway to facilitate access for larger cargo ships. The port, owned by the Italian-based Grimaldi Group, is used for RoRo cargo, mainly in relation to the import and export of vehicles. The matter involved negotiations and permitting approval from, among others, the Swedish Transport Agency as well as other authorities and concerned parties. The firm recently also advised the Grimaldi Group on its acquisition of 50 per cent of port Wallhamn from EUKOR Car Carriers Inc, making the Grimaldi Group the sole owner of port Wallhamn.
    Mannheimer Swartling
  • Stena Bulk in joint venture with Asahi Tankers

    Mannheimer Swartling has advised Stena Bulk AB in its new joint venture with Japanese shipping company Asahi Tankers. The joint venture company, Asahi Stena Tankers, will be owned 50/50 by the parties and will invest in tonnage of varying sizes, initially focusing on Suezmax tankers for global transportation of crude oil.
    Mannheimer Swartling
  • Skandia Liv signs asset management agreement with DnB NOR

    Mannheimer Swartling has advised Skandia Liv on an agreement with DnB NOR to manage a portfolio of assets valued at approximately SEK 80 billion. The agreement replaces a previous asset management agreement between the parties and covers DnB NOR’s continued management of a portfolio of Swedish shares and interest and includes a number of special mandates, amongst others in tactical allocation and advice on “socially responsible investing.”
    Mannheimer Swartling