The Legal 500

Within Leading commercial firms, Ogier is a second tier firm,

Harney Westwood & Riegels remains the most acclaimed law firm in the BVI. The firm has seen an impressive growth in the past months, despite the global financial crisis. Six new partners were added in 2008 and a further eight new partners in January 2009. Peter Tarn, 'a phenomenal finance lawyer', the 'extremely dedicated' Leonard Birmingham and the 'outstanding' Ross Munro, collect the most praise from clients. Notable highlights include advising on a US$48m Islamic finance deal for the acquisition of a floating production storage and off-loading vessel, the Armada Perkasa, and to finance the upgrading and refurbishment of the vessel. The matter was spearheaded by Tanya Cassie. On the contentious side, the team led by the 'highly knowledgeable' Philip Kite, was involved on the largest ever judgment award in the BVI, having successfully reversed the summary judgment and dismissal of Sibir's $2.2bn claim against a number of parties, including Sibneft, one of Russia's largest oil companies. The firm suffered a significant loss, however, following the departure of Ray Wearmouth, who joined rival firm Ogier.

Within Leading commercial firms, Ogier is a second tier firm,

Ogier has recently scored a major coup, with the arrival of corporate and finance expert partner Ray Wearmouth from Harney Westwood & Riegels, where he had been a partner in the corporate and commercial team. Wearmouth specialises in all corporate and commercial disciplines, banking, capital markets and structured finance matters. Other leading individuals include the 'very good, commercial, very responsive' M&A, corporate finance and investment funds specialist Simon Schilder. Recent highlights include the restructuring of the Etalon Group, the largest construction development company in North West Russia, as well as a shareholder dispute in connection with an oil project joint venture in Kazakhistan, where the firm acted for the successful party to preserve its $60m investment and board representation. Michael Fay, the firm's BVI managing partner and head of dispute resolution, led the matter. 'He is simply outstanding' one client commented of Fay. Key clients include law firms, banks and fiduciary service providers throughout the world with respect to large multi-jurisdictional transactions and disputes.

Within Legal market,

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.