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Appleby’s London office was established to service clients based in London and other major European markets. Recent highlights include providing BVI law advice to CBaySystems Holdings, a BVI company listed on AIM, in relation to the acquisition of Medquist, the world’s largest medical transcription services company. The team was strengthened by the transfer of Gray Smith to London from the Cayman Islands office, Jason Trainor’s move from the Isle of Man office, and the appointment of Oboshie Torgbor-Mensah; all three work in the corporate and commercial group. Warren Cabral heads the office.

Panamanian law firm Arias, Fábrega & Fábrega’s London office advises on corporate law, corporate services, shipping and ports, estates, trusts and foundations. Associate Alfredo Fonseca is the resident lawyer in London, and focuses on offshore services, and shipping and ports. The team assisted the owners of Haffar 1 in setting up a financing structure involving a first and second mortgage over a rig under construction.

Bedell Cristin’s London office is led by Bruce Scott and covers all principal financial services areas, including banking, investment funds, private equity, capital markets and structured finance work. Scott is experienced in structuring and advising on a range of transactions across investment funds, corporate, real estate finance, banking and structured finance.

The London office of Isle of Man firm Cains is headed by Geoff Kermeen, who recently advised in connection with the financing of several high-value commercial property acquisitions, including a £35.7m loan facility and murabaha made available by Deutsche Postbank’s London Branch to Isle of Man subsidiaries of the CIT Group in connection with the acquisition of properties in London. Katherine Shea is also a key contact.

In Carey Olsen’s London office, Fiona Fleming specialises in M&A, private equity and collective investment schemes. The team is especially noted for advising international corporations looking to list on AIM. James Mulholland’s experience covers international funds and corporate work, with a particular emphasis on private equity.

Conyers Dill & Pearman’s London office advises on a full range of Bermuda, BVI, Cayman Islands and Mauritius corporate, commercial, trust and private client matters. London head Christopher Johnson-Gilbert acts on commercial and corporate matters, with specialist expertise in securities issues and investment vehicles.

Harney Westwood & Riegels LLP’s London team of partners and associates advise on BVI, Cayman Islands, Anguilla and Cyprus law. London head Leonard Birmingham is experienced in all aspects of BVI and Anguillan corporate law, and also advises on banking and insolvency law. Jonathan Culshaw leads the Cayman Islands law practice in London.

Lennox Paton offers the firm’s UK and European-based clients Bahamas and BVI legal services. Laura Harris handles shipping and corporate/commercial work.

Maitland’s London branch is especially known for its international corporate, tax and wealth management advice to South African connected businesses. Rupert Weber has extensive experience in public and private M&A, joint ventures, corporate finance, and general company and commercial matters. Daniel Mackelden was recently instructed in relation to listed entities on AIM and the main market in London.

Maples and Calder’s London office recently acted on a range of significant structured finance and banking transactions, restructurings, and MTN programmes and note issues thereunder. Led by Tony Pursall, the trusts team can provide both Cayman and BVI trust advice from London. Shaun Denton heads the London finance and corporate team, while Paul Govier leads on the investment funds side, and Chris McKenzie heads the London BVI team.

2010 saw the merger between Jersey firm Mourant du Feu & Jeune and Guernsey practice Ozannes, to form Mourant Ozannes. The London team provides offshore legal services to banking, finance, corporate, trusts and investment fund clients seeking advice on the laws of Jersey and Guernsey. London head Simon Felton is recommended for structured finance and securitisation work, while Robert Duggan focuses on investment funds.

Ogier is a leading BVI firm in London in investment funds, and has recently played a leading role in the IPO market. In 2010, the Cayman and BVI investment funds practice spent less time restructuring and saw an increasing number of mandates concerning new launches. The team was also involved in a number of refinancings. Key matters included acting as BVI adviser to Zanaga Iron Ore Company on its admission to AIM. London managing partner Simon Dinning and new arrival Oliver Godwin, who joined from Carey Olsen, are recommended. Senior associate Wendy Walker and managing associate Sophie Gray are also highly rated.

The London branch of Panamanian firm Patton, Moreno & Asvat was opened some 25 years ago. Brett Patton, who practises as a foreign law consultant in London, heads the office, and is noted for aviation and aviation finance, commercial and corporate, shipping and trust matters.

Randall Webster is the key contact for the London office of Panama-based practice Quijano & Associates, and acts in corporate, commercial, and admiralty and maritime matters.

The London office of Isle of Man firm Simcocks Advocates assists in corporate and commercial and private client matters, and UK property transactions. It also has a noteworthy litigation practice.

Walkers’ London office is led by managing partner Vicki Hazelden, who relocated from the Cayman Islands to London in October 2010. From London, the group advises financial institutions and corporations worldwide in relation to BVI, Cayman Islands and Jersey law. Deborah Poole heads up the London investment funds group, and Alexandra Corner leads the finance and corporate team. Former London managing partner David Whittome has retired.

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