The Legal 500

Ogier's Zac Lucas joined in 2010 from Harney Westwood & Riegels, where he headed the trusts team. The practice acted on behalf of McDonald's Latin America, including drafting, negotiating and provisioning a bespoke trust deed as part of a sale of franchise rights to McDonald's restaurants in South America. It also advised an UHNW individual in relation to the creation of a bespoke tax compliant trust with reserved powers.

Walkers's 'service is prompt, detailed and professional'. The practice has substantial experience in acting for UHNW individuals and their advisers, as well as international trustees and other financial institutions on the establishment, administration and termination of trusts. The group also teams up with the firm's global trusts disputes practice, which has been involved in substantial international trust disputes. Christopher McKenzie heads the commercial trust side. McKenzie is 'very knowledgeable and responsive'. Associate Omonike Robinson-Pickering is also praised.

Conyers Dill & Pearman's global trust and private client group launched a BVI practice in 2010 when English Chancery barrister Raymond Davern joined from Higgs & Johnson's Cayman office. Prevously, Davern was at Thirteen Old Square Chambers. The team advised on an appropriate BVI trust and corporate structure for holding wealth in a way that may offer asset protection advantages.

Harney Westwood & Riegels 'gives sound legal advice while recognising the commercial factors'. The team acts on the development of innovative trust structures and continues to expand outside of traditional markets. Recently it advised several Latin American clients on the establishment of settlor reserved powers trusts which contain protective committee powers, and advised a Brazilian client on an advanced VISTA Trust instrument which allows the settlor to enjoy a lifetime Vista relationship with trustees prior to reverting to a classic discretionary trust on death. Senior associate Henry Mander, formerly of Boodle Hatfield and Farrer & Co in London, joined in January 2011, and associate Lawrie Kearns, formerly of Rooks Rider Solicitors LLP in London, arrived in March 2011. Russell Willings is the key trusts contact.

Appleby assisted an UHNW Russian family in connection with the creation of a sophisticated BVI private trust company trust structure, comprising several asset holding companies, and acted on a matter involving abuse by a protector of his powers under a trust. BVI managing partner Michael Burns, Eliot Simpson, and Cayman Islands-based private client and trusts head Carlos de Serpa Pimentel are recommended.

Maples and Calder advises financial institutions and foreign governments, as well as some of the world's wealthiest individuals, on both Cayman Islands and BVI private and commercial trust structures. Cayman-based partner Justin Appleyard is the global trust and private client group head. Litigator Arabella di Iorio is well regarded.

O'Neal Webster - Barristers & Solicitors advises trustees and beneficiaries alike on issues such as wealth protection, probate planning, trust creation, administration and termination. The practice also acts in trust disputes. Vanessa King is the principal contact.