Mourant > Tortola, British Virgin Islands > Firm Profile
Mourant Offices
C/O OSIRIS, COASTAL BUILDINGS
WICKHAM'S CAY II, PO BOX 4857, ROAD TOWN
TORTOLA
British Virgin Islands
Mourant > The Legal 500 Rankings
British Virgin Islands > Dispute resolution Tier 2
Mourant's 'extremely knowledgeable' team is a ‘go-to for complex trusts matters in the BVI’, as well as shareholders disputes and fraud cases. Counting banks, trusts and high-net-worth individuals as clients, the group is particularly noted for its cross-border expertise, where it also utilises the firm's practitioners in Cayman and Hong Kong. Team leader Eleanor Morgan is described as ‘responsive and pragmatic’ and handles trust and probate litigation, commercial disputes and insolvency cases. Other standout team members include Shane Donovan, who is a trusted resource for liquidators and creditors seeking advice on complex disputes with connections to BVI law; and Jennifer Jenkins, whose practice consistently draws in major multinational corporations. Sophie Christodoulou is the key name at counsel level, and senior associate Greg O'Keefe-Davis is also recommended.Practice head(s):
Eleanor Morgan
Other key lawyers:
Shane Donovan; Jennifer Jenkins; Sophie Christodoulou; Greg O’Keefe-Davis
Testimonials
‘Mourant was extremely responsive, provided timely and good advice and was able to cut through complex issues with practical and economical solutions.’
‘Eleanor Morgan is a force to be reckoned with – tenacious, clever and great fun to work with. Greg O’Keefe-Davis is a senior associate to watch.’
‘Excellent practice, extremely knowledgeable in their field and highly responsive. Our go to firm in the BVI.’
‘Jennifer Jenkins is an excellent lawyer, she really knows her stuff. She keeps her calm even in highly contentious situations, a safe pair of hands!’
‘Eleanor Morgan is a true leader in the BVI disputes space: intelligent, charming and suitably aggressive. You can trust her excellent judgment and her thorough knowledge of the jurisdiction.’
‘Jenny Jenkins: great with clients, give clear and careful advice. Shane Donovan: very good lawyer, strong presence in court.’
‘Mourant is our go to for complex trusts matters in the BVI.’
‘Eleanor Morgan is adept at dealing with trust matters that arise in a more commercial context, which sets her apart from other BVI lawyers. She is responsive and pragmatic, and has good instincts as to what is likely to work (or not) in court.’
Key clients
Grant Thornton
Interpath BVI
Cithara Global Multi Strategy SPC
Prosper Way Holdings Limited
Mishmeret Trust Company Ltd
British Virgin Islands > Banking, finance and capital markets Tier 3
Mourant‘s BVI practice fields a global team able to advise a deep roster of financial institutions, global corporates, fund managers and professional service providers on a wide range of cross-border financial and capital markets transactions. Local practice chair Ian Montgomery is noted for handling complex transactions spanning the real estate, financial services, energy and fintech, crypto and technology sectors. Counsel Marianne Wilson is another key name in the real estate finance and fund finance sectors, and also handles M&A, joint ventures and group reorganisations, while senior associate Martyn Heyes focuses on share and debt offerings, capital raisings, shareholder arrangements and corporate restructurings.Practice head(s):
Ian Montgomery
Other key lawyers:
Key clients
Montage Gold Corp.
Work highlights
- Advised Montage Gold Corp. in connection with its $15m fundraising through an underwritten offering of securities.
British Virgin Islands > Corporate and commercial Tier 3
Offering guidance across the full spectrum of corporate matters, including advising on cross-border technology M&A deals, the group at Mourant attracts a varied roster of multinational companies. The ‘client-oriented’ Ian Montgomery sits at the helm of the team and has particular expertise advising clients across the real estate, financial services, energy and technology sectors. Dual qualified in BVI and Cayman, Sara Galletly is knowledgeable of regulatory issues impacting corporate structures and other entities, including advising on economic substance and anti-money laundering compliance issues. Counsel Saraid Taylor is noted for her expertise in finance, capital markets and M&A transactions, while senior associate Martyn Heyes‘ experience includes advising on leveraged and real estate finance issues.Practice head(s):
Ian Montgomery
Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
‘They are responsive and professional.’
‘Ian Montgomery is professional, responsive and client-oriented. He also helps whenever the matter relates to another jurisdiction. I always feel the client is in good hands when I refer them to Ian.’
Key clients
Asante Gold Corporation
Big River Gold Ltd
Work highlights
- Advised Asante Gold Corporation in connection with an M&A transaction with KG Africa B.V. and Kinross Gold Corporation, and related entities Red Back Mining (Ghana) Limited and Red Back Mining No 2 (Ghana) Limited.
- Advised Big River Gold Ltd in relation to the proposed acquisition of all of the shares in Big River Gold Ltd by Borborema LLC by way of scheme of arrangement.
British Virgin Islands > Regulatory and compliance Tier 3
Mourant routinely offers regulatory advice to leading banks, multinational corporations and high-net-worth individuals both within and outside the BVI, while also leading high-profile and cross-border contentious regulatory inspections and investigations, and financial crime and disciplinary proceedings. Dual-qualified (BVI and Cayman) Sara Galletly notably concentrates her capabilities on anti-money laundering, beneficial ownership, economic substance, data protection and other evolving regulatory regimes; while finance, corporate and funds head Ian Montgomery is noted for his expertise in regulatory developments impacting funds, corporate structures and regulated entities. Counsel Saraid Taylor’s experience includes handling digital asset launches and providing economic substance advice.Practice head(s):
Ian Montgomery; Sara Galletly
Other key lawyers:
Work highlights
- Advised various organisations with regards to economic substance classification for their BVI entities.
- Advised various organisations on anti-money laundering regulations, policies and procedures.
- Advised various organisations on business licences applications.
Cayman Islands > Regulatory and compliance
Mourant‘s practice fields a team of experienced lawyers and regulatory and compliance consultants who routinely assist clients with a mixture of contentious and non-contentious mandates as well as providing preventative advice. Dual-qualified (BVI and Cayman) practice head Sara Galletly notably focuses on regulatory developments impacting fund, finance and corporate structures and regulated entities, while Hector Robinson KC is known for handling complex cross-border trust and estate disputes, regulatory investigations, fraud and asset tracing issues, and insolvencies. Alastair Lagrange‘s broad practice spans anti-money laundering and sanctions advice, economic substance matters, and fintech and virtual asset issues.Practice head(s):
Sara Galletly
Other key lawyers:
Key clients
Cayman Islands Monetary Authority
Work highlights
- Represented the Cayman Islands Monetary Authority in defending judicial review proceedings brought by two of the largest trust and corporate service providers (TCSPs), in Cayman.
Mourant > Firm Profile
The firm: Mourant Ozannes is a leading global offshore law firm, advising on the laws of the BVI, Cayman Islands, Guernsey and Jersey with offices in each of those locations as well as in Hong Kong and London.
The firm has a long tradition of exceptional service and expertise that underpins its profound relationships with its clients, and many of the world’s most respected international law firms.
Types of work undertaken: Mourant Ozannes’ BVI practice specialises in:
Banking and finance: the firm’s banking and finance practice covers all aspects of banking and finance transactions and advice. It is highly respected for its work on the most complex and demanding transactions, where the firm’s strength-in-depth and hands on multi-jurisdictional, partner-led approach can make all the difference. Expertise includes: acquisition and leveraged finance; asset finance; derivatives and structured finance; insolvency, restructuring and security enforcement; Islamic finance; project finance; real estate finance; securitisation; CBOs, CDOs, CLOs and other debt repackagings; and convertible bonds.
Corporate: Mourant Ozanne brings its expertise, versatility and outcome-driven focus to all of the work that it does, whether the job is large or small. The firm is best known for its work on the most complex and demanding transactions, where its strength-in-depth and hands on, multi-jurisdictional, partner-led approach can make all the difference. Corporate work is at the heart of the firm’s practice. The corporate practice covers all aspects of corporate transactions and advice. Expertise includes: preference share structures; corporate migrations and continuations; corporate governance and directors’ duties; corporate reorganisations; employee incentive schemes; IPOs and secondary offerings; joint venture and other co-ownership arrangements; mergers and acquisitions; private equity structures and investments (including pre-IPO financings); private placements; and voluntary liquidations.
Financial services and regulatory: the financial services and regulatory practice provides specialist and focused advice on the conduct of BVI regulated financial services, including investment and banking business. It provides specific, highly commercial, robust legal and strategic advice in relation to regulatory issues for those conducting or wishing to conduct BVI-regulated activities in accordance with BVI’s financial services legislation. Expertise includes: AML policies, procedures and failings; compliance; conduct of regulated financial services activities, including (financing and money services, funds, investment business and banking and trust company services); licensing (including licensing of investment managers and advisers); and sector specific advice (telecommunications).
Funds: Mourant Ozannes has an international reputation as one of the leading investment funds practices in offshore jurisdictions. The firm advises on the formation, structuring and regulation of investment funds in the BVI and provide ongoing legal advice to funds, fund managers and investment advisers. Clients range from start-up ventures to leading asset managers and fund promoters. Expertise includes: distressed funds; hedge funds; hybrid funds; private equity funds; and other asset classes: hybrid funds; mezzanine funds; infrastructure funds; and multi-strategy funds.
Insolvency and restructuring: the insolvency and restructuring team has played a leading role in the largest and most high-profile insolvency-related cases in the BVI, Cayman Islands, Guernsey and Jersey. These are usually cross-border in practice and the firm is able to provide the efficient, coordinated advice these matters require. It deploys carefully integrated, multi-disciplinary teams to work closely with leading professionals worldwide, advising on all aspects of complex corporate restructurings, providing pragmatic solutions for clients.
Intellectual property: the firm’s dynamic intellectual property (IP) team provides specialist IP law advice in the BVI, the Cayman Islands, Guernsey and Jersey. It takes a creative and pragmatic approach in addressing clients’ needs. It prides itself on providing a commercial and bespoke approach both in the conduct of IP litigation and in the negotiation of IP related contracts.
Litigation: Mourant Ozannes has a reputation for being at the forefront of offshore litigation, and it is involved in many of the largest and most complex disputes currently before the Courts. The firm provides accurate, timely, and clear advice to clients, and is able to draw on its global network of litigation practitioners, many of whom are leaders within their fields. Much of the firm’s work centres around international and cross-border issues, and it works closely with its clients so as to ensure the most efficient, and cost-effective, approach (whether judicial or nonjudicial) is taken to address their particular needs. Clients include major financial institutions, trust companies, regulators, public authorities and prosecutors, and high-net-worth individuals.
Main Contacts
| Department | Name | Telephone | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Managing partner | Jonathan Rigby | ||
| Managing partner, BVI | Eleanor Morgan |
Lawyer Profiles
| Photo | Name | Position | Profile |
|---|---|---|---|
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Sophie Christodoulou | I’m a Senior Associate within the Litigation and Insolvency practice of the… | View Profile |
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Mr Shane Donovan | Shane is a commercial litigation lawyer with specialist experience in complex international… | View Profile |
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Martyn Heyes | I’m a Senior Associate in our BVI Corporate practice. | View Profile |
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Ms Jennifer Jenkins | Jennifer’s practice at Mourant focuses on commercial fraud and insolvency. She has extensive… | View Profile |
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Ms Eleanor Morgan | Eleanor has extensive experience acting on a wide range of international litigation,… | View Profile |
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Greg O'Keefe-Davis | I’m a Senior Associate  within the Litigation and Insolvency practice in the BVI,… | View Profile |
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Marianne Wilson | I’m Counsel in our BVI and Cayman FinCorp practice, based in the… | View Profile |
Solicitor Profiles
| Photo | Name | Position | Profile |
|---|---|---|---|
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Ian Montgomery | I am a partner in our BVI office and the Local Practice… | View Profile |
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Saraid Taylor | I’m Counsel in our BVI Corporate and Finance practice. | View Profile |