The Legal 500

Conyers Dill & Pearman provides a 'good, flexible service'. The team advised Yukos Hydrocarbons Investment, as respondents, in applications for injunctions arising out of the longstanding Yukos dispute. Mark Forté and Richard Evans provide 'intelligent advice and are very good at explaining how litigation is likely to play out in the BVI with local judges'. Jerry Samuel and Tameka Davis are associates to watch.

Harney Westwood & Riegels has particular expertise in hedge fund litigation, fraud and asset tracing and trust litigation. The practice successfully acted for the Westford Funds, a major BVI fund, in relation to compulsory liquidation proceedings brought by a redeeming investor. Phillip Kite is global head of litigation and insolvency. Andrew Thorp is an 'exceptionally good lawyer and very intelligent; he thinks outside of the box, which is a great asset'. Kissock Laing is also recommended. Jeremy Child joined from Enterprise Chambers, and James Noble relocated to the Hong Kong office.

Maples and Calder is a 'top-tier offshore firm, with a mature and responsive litigation team of the kind that clients now expect'. The practice acted for Cukurova Finance International and Cukurova Holdings, in the dispute between Cukurova companies and Alfa Telecom Turkey regarding the appropriation and ownership of shares in subsidiaries of Cukurova. Arabella di Iorio is an experienced trust litigator, who 'understands the service levels expected by sophisticated clients and city law firms, and does a wonderful job providing it'. Victoria Lord joined as an associate from Kingsley Napley LLP's regulatory litigation team.

Ogier's 'professionalism is beyond question, as is its local knowledge and expertise'. The practice was instructed by 18 institutional investors to defend over 25 claims that are being brought by the liquidators of the Fairfield Funds. BVI practice group head Michael Fay is recommended, and senior advocate Ray Ng is a 'first-class lawyer'. Managing associate Robert Foote 'inspires confidence'.

Appleby is best known in the BVI for its insolvency and shareholders dispute work. The practice acted on behalf of Congo Mineral Developments, a subsidiary of the listed mining company First Quantum, which was dispossessed of valuable permits to mine copper and cobalt in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. 'Completely committed' counsel and litigation head Andrew Willins provides an 'excellent service', and associate Sarah Masson specialises in international commercial litigation and insolvency work. Eliot Simpson relocated to the firm's Hong Kong office.

Walkers advises on a range of cross-border commercial disputes; clashes between shareholders or directors of BVI companies; allegations of fraud and misappropriation; matters involving BVI funds; out of court restructuring and enforcements of security; and insolvency proceedings. The team acted for Grand Pacific Holdings (GPH) in proceedings commenced for the liquidation of Pacific China Holdings (PCH), arising from a $55m debt owed by PCH to GPH. Jack Husbands and Cayman Islands and BVI-based Sandie Corbett, together with senior associate Julie Engwirda, are rated.

Forbes Hare's 'conduct of litigation is smoothly run and intelligently thought through'. The practice is lead counsel to the liquidators in the Fairfield funds liquidation. It also acted for the defendants to a claim concerning a $2bn Central African mining dispute. Managing partner William Hare is 'very experienced in cross-border litigation'. Consultant Michael Pringle is also well regarded; Robert Nader was promoted to partner.

O'Neal Webster - Barristers & Solicitors's senior partner Paul Webster QC has been involved in some of the largest commercial litigation cases to pass through the BVI. The practice acted for UBS Switzerland in clawback claims brought by the liquidators of Fairfield Sentry, the largest feeder fund into the Madoff Funds, against UBS and other institutional investors. Paul Dennis, and senior associates Nadine Whyte and Akilah Anderson, are also key practitioners.