Carey Olsen > Tortola, British Virgin Islands > Firm Profile
Carey Olsen Offices
RODUS BUILDING
ROAD REEF MARINA, PO BOX 3093
ROAD TOWN, TORTOLA
British Virgin Islands
Carey Olsen > The Legal 500 Rankings
British Virgin Islands > Dispute resolution Tier 2
Carey Olsen‘s ‘boasts some of the most talented litigators in the BVI‘ who provide ‘an excellent all-round service’ on the full spectrum of contentious issues for a client roster of high-net-worth individuals, family offices, banks, companies, and hedge funds. The firm's global network also allows for coordination of complex cases, offering a ‘seamless 24/7 service’ that proves especially beneficial to clients in Hong Kong, Singapore, and London. Praised as a ‘true Rolls Royce of the BVI litigation scene’, practice head Alex Hall Taylor KC frequently handles cases before the Commercial Court and is also an accredited mediator, while the ‘highly intelligent’ Tim Wright is a go-to name for insolvency matters. Recently promoted to the partnership, Simon Hall ‘has a superb client manner, and shows real tactical flair’ in insolvency, fraud, contentious trust and corporate litigation. Associate Sara Malik also shines, with ‘judgment and self-sufficiency that are years beyond her experience.’Practice head(s):
Alex Hall Taylor KC
Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
‘Formidable team led by Alex Hall-Taylor KC. Smart lawyers who are client friendly. Necessary resources allocated to address the issues and importantly the team is on hand during UK and BVI time. Go to firm for complex and high value commercial or trust disputes.’
‘Tim Wright: A highly intelligent and vastly experienced partner who leads from the front. Superb with clients and a delight to work with.’
‘Alex Hall-Taylor KC is a true Rolls-Royce of the BVI litigation scene. Fiercely intelligent, utterly charming, and fearless in making even the most difficult of arguments. A rare example of a barrister who is every bit as good a leader as he is a lawyer.’
‘Sara Malik: An excellent recent addition to the BVI disputes team. Sara is incredibly hard working and responsive, and her attention to detail is second to none. A rising star in the BVI legal market.’
‘Tim Wright has phenomenal commercial insight, and a real gift for translating a client’s objectives into courtroom outcomes. It’s no wonder insolvency practitioners keep coming back to him time and again – he knows the law and the business inside out.’
‘Sara Malik is one of the brightest junior solicitors. Her judgment and self-sufficiency are years beyond her experience. Very obviously a partner-in-waiting.’
‘They have one of the largest teams in the jurisdiction, they are a relatively new team with very capable and experienced practitioners working efficiently. They have offices in key offshore jurisdictions that they are able to collaborate seamlessly with. They are very much in the ascendancy, getting the important things right for their cases, their clients and their team.’
‘Simon Hall more than deserves his recent promotion to partner. He has a superb client manner, and shows real tactical flair. His skills of legal analysis are impressive.’
Key clients
Von der Heydt Invest SA
Various senior managers of the Renova Group
Ikana Holdings S de RL (a subsisiary of the InterEnergy Group)
Federal Republic of Nigeria
Geneva Trust Company
Sancus Financial Holdings
Izit Management Limited
Tahakom Investments Company & Sakab Saudi Holding Company
The Republic of Kazakhstan and the National Bank of Kazakhstan
Sukhbaatar Batbold & ors
Kenworth Industrial Limited
Work highlights
- Acting for von der Heydt Invest SA, a Luxembourg fund manager, in a case involving multiple funds victimised by fraud, with ongoing proceedings initiated in the BVI against entities within the Multibank Group and its chairman.
- Acting for two individuals in a dispute concerning the assets of the a deceased wealthy and prominent Ukrainian businessman, and particularly his interest in the prominent West Oil Group and Continuum Group in Ukraine.
- Acting for a number of senior managers of the Renova Group in the long-running litigation in the case of Renova & Ors v Emmerson & Ors in relation to a dispute over a joint venture.
British Virgin Islands > Investment funds Tier 2
Carey Olsen is the go-to choice for a host hedge fund groups, asset managers and institutional investors seeking advice on fund launches and regulatory applications, anti-money laundering and terrorist financing requirements, economic substance issues and digital assets. Practice head Clinton Hempel notably focuses on BVI financings and investment structures, takeovers, joint ventures, M&A and public and private equity transactions. With specialist expertise in economic substance advice, licence applications and virtual assets, Elizabeth Killeen is also highly recommended, while counsel Jude Hodge is sought out by a litany of leading arrangers, financial institutions, corporates, borrower groups and investment managers for advice on BVI investment and regulatory vehicles, CRS and FATCA requirements, and data protection regimes. Counsel Katrina Lindsay is noted for her expertise in virtual assets.Practice head(s):
Clinton Hempel
Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
‘Carey Olsen is renowned for its exceptional legal services and unwavering commitment to its clients. With a distinguished team of attorneys, the firm consistently demonstrates a profound understanding of complex legal matters. Their proactive and insightful approach to legal challenges sets them apart, ensuring that clients receive tailored solutions that address even the most intricate issues.’
‘Carey Olsen’s reputation for professionalism, expertise, and client-centred advocacy is a testament to their dedication to achieving the best possible outcomes. Whether in transactional work, dispute resolution, or regulatory affairs, Carey Olsen attorneys exhibit a remarkable blend of academic rigour and practical acumen, making them a top choice for individuals and businesses seeking legal representation.’
‘Carey Olsen distinguishes itself from its competitors through a combination of rigorous expertise, a client-centric approach, and a proven track record of delivering exceptional legal solutions. What truly sets them apart is their commitment to in-depth research and thorough analysis, ensuring a comprehensive understanding of each case’s nuances. This meticulous attention to detail allows them to offer innovative and effective strategies that stand out in the legal landscape.’
Key clients
Platform Investment Partners
Haramos Technologies Inc.
Invisto
i-Vision Fund Limited & Dame Fund Limited
Storm Partners & DBS Fund Ltd.
Nickel Digital Asset Management & Cleveland Digital Ltd.
FXAQ Ltd.
Brainwin Investment Management Company Limited
Zonff Partners Management Ltd.
AlphalO (BVI) Limited
Cumulus Capital Ltd
IDEG Asset Management (BVI) Limited
Caprilla Asset Management Limited
SNebula Limited
Manifold Trading & Manifold Capital Partners Fund I Ltd.
Signa Equity Limited
Work highlights
- Advised Platform Investment Partners, Fiber Manager Limited & U.S. Fiber Investments Limited on the preparation and review of the required offering documentation for each of U.S. Fiber Investments Limited (which is now recognised as a BVI private investment fund) as well as Fiber Manager Limited (which is now recognised as a BVI approved investment manager).
- Advised Haramos Technologies on fund structures with the preparation of its fund documents to achieve its commercial aspirations in the digital asset space.
British Virgin Islands > Banking, finance and capital markets Tier 3
Carey Olsen fields an experienced banking and finance team, which is routinely instructed by lenders and borrowers for advice on asset finance, real estate finance and refinancing transactions. Managing partner Clinton Hempel is noted for his engagement in cross-border joint ventures, M&A, corporate reorganisations and stock exchange listings. Elizabeth Killeen’s broad practice spans cross-border debt and equity financings, IPOs, aircraft financings, economic substance advice, and licence applications and virtual assets; while real estate and acquisition finance expert Katrina Lindsay is also highly recommended at counsel level. Fellow counsel Jude Hodge is another key name for secured and structured financings as well as data protection and digital asset work.Practice head(s):
Clinton Hempel
Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
‘Katrina Lindsay is excellent, responsive and makes things easy.’
Key clients
Blackstone Real Estate Services LLC
VCI Global
Work highlights
- Advised Blackstone Real Estate Services LLC on the BVI law aspects of the $200m senior and mezzanine loan facilities provided to the co-owners of the Peninsula Papagayo resort, on the northern shoreline of Costa Rica.
- Advised VCI Global Limited, a BVI business company, in respect of its initial public offering on the Nasdaq Capital Market in the US.
British Virgin Islands > Corporate and commercial Tier 3
The Carey Olsen team, with its extensive international network, adeptly oversees transactions across Europe, Asia, and the US, specialising in cross-border deals and commercial issues. Leading the practice is Clinton Hempel, who guides his clients through the intricacies of corporate and commercial transactions and also lends his expertise to regulatory compliance and risk management matters. Elizabeth Killeen is renowned for her proficiency in advising multinational corporations and high-net-worth individuals on financing and investment structures. Counsels Jude Hodge and Katrina Lindsay also play key roles; Hodge, who is a financial services specialist, extends her corporate practice to cover corporate restructurings, M&A transactions, and corporate due diligence, while Lindsay has a focus on the emerging digital assets sector.Practice head(s):
Clinton Hempel
Other key lawyers:
Key clients
Aman Group S.a r.l.
Castle Island Ventures
EQT AB
Work highlights
- Provided BVI legal advice and assistance to Aman Group in respect of a group restructuring involving more than 40 companies across more than six jurisdictions.
- Assisted EQT AB with its acquisition of Barring Private Equity Asia, which involved the change of control and acquisition of significant interest of the Vistra Group of companies.
- Advised Castle Island Ventures in respect of a venture capital investment into a blockchain related BVI limited company (Hidden Road) during its Series A funding round.
British Virgin Islands > Regulatory and compliance Tier 3
Carey Olsen continues to provide comprehensive advice to leading trust companies, funds and corporate clients on a range of contentious and non-contentious regulatory and compliance issues spanning virtual asset legislation and economic substance compliance. The team fields experienced practitioners including co-heads Clinton Hempel and Elizabeth Killeen, and acts for a varied client roster of trust companies, financial institutions, public and private businesses, and high-net-worth individuals. Counsel Jude Hodge is well versed in regulatory compliance, economic substance issues and anti-money laundering legislation.Practice head(s):
Clinton Hempel; Elizabeth Killeen
Other key lawyers:
Key clients
Keyway (BVI) Limited
BF Virtual Assets Ltd.
FXAQ Ltd.
Work highlights
- Advised Keyway (BVI) Limited on attaining a Class III Trust licence from the BVI Financial Services Commission.
- Advised BF Virtual Assets Ltd. on BVI legal and regulatory matters in respect of certain fintech-related activities that it carries out, including preparing BF Virtual’s AML/Compliance Manual and reviewing and revising policies.
- Assisting FXAQ Ltd. with the incorporation and launch of a BVI approved investment manager to a Singapore derivative trading entity.
Carey Olsen > Firm Profile
The firm: With a heritage that dates back to 1898, Carey Olsen is one of the most established and distinguished offshore law firms, advising on Bermuda, British Virgin Islands (BVI), Cayman Islands, Guernsey and Jersey law across a global network of nine international offices.
Carey Olsen’s BVI office opened in 2013 and has quickly grown to become one of the leading international legal practices in the BVI, focusing on international commercial transactions, dispute resolution, investment funds and offshore structures involving BVI companies.
The BVI practice is managed by partner Clinton Hempel, supported by senior lawyers with significant BVI and international experience.
Areas of practice: Carey Olsen offers clients the full range of legal advice relating to the following services:
- Banking and finance
- Corporate and commercial
- Dispute resolution and litigation
- Investment funds
- Regulatory
- Restructuring and insolvency
- Trusts and private wealth
Carey Olsen has the international experience to provide accurate, efficient legal services for all transactions involving the BVI, including where BVI entities form part of a wider multi-jurisdictional structure. We also provide clients with access to BVI company management services through our affiliate CO Services.
We work alongside all the major international law firms, accountancy firms and insolvency practitioners and our clients include global financial institutions, investment funds, private equity houses, multi-national corporations, sovereign wealth funds, high net worth individuals, family offices, directors, trustees and private clients.
We also have BVI-qualified lawyers in our Hong Kong, Singapore, London and Cape Town offices ensuring we are able to provide BVI legal advice across all time zones.
Main Contacts
Department | Name | Telephone | |
---|---|---|---|
Trusts and private wealth | Bernadette Carey | bernadette.carey@careyolsen.com | |
Banking and finance | Clinton Hempel | clinton.hempel@careyolsen.com | |
Corporate and commercial | Clinton Hempel | clinton.hempel@careyolsen.com | |
Investment funds | Clinton Hempel | clinton.hempel@careyolsen.com | |
Regulatory | Clinton Hempel | clinton.hempel@careyolsen.com | |
Dispute resolution and litigation | Alex Hall Taylor | alex.halltaylor@careyolsen.com | |
Regulatory | Alex Hall Taylor | alex.halltaylor@careyolsen.com | |
Restructuring and insolvency | Alex Hall Taylor | alex.halltaylor@careyolsen.com | |
Corporate and commercial | Elizabeth Killeen | elizabeth.killeen@careyolsen.com |
Lawyer Profiles
Photo | Name | Position | Profile |
---|---|---|---|
Simon Hall | Simon Hall is a Partner in Carey Olsen’s dispute resolution and litigation… | View Profile | |
Alex Hall Taylor | Alex Hall Taylor is a barrister, King’s Counsel, partner and head of… | View Profile | |
Clinton Hempel | Clinton advises on a wide range of British Virgin Islands corporate and… | View Profile | |
Elizabeth Killeen | Elizabeth is a partner in the firm’s corporate and finance practice. She qualified as… | View Profile | |
Katrina Lindsay | Katrina advises on a broad range of funds, corporate finance and real… | View Profile | |
Christopher McCarthy | Christopher is a senior associate in the British Virgin Islands Dispute Resolution and… | View Profile | |
Tim Wright | Tim is a partner in Carey Olsen’s British Virgin Islands (BVI) Dispute… | View Profile |
Comparative Guides
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British Virgin Islands: Private Client
Published: January 2024
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This country-specific Q&A provides an overview of Private Client laws and regulations applicable in British Virgin Islands.
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Cayman Islands: Private Client
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This country-specific Q&A provides an overview of Private Client laws and regulations applicable in Cayman Islands.
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Jersey: Private Client
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This country-specific Q&A provides an overview of Private Client laws and regulations applicable in Jersey.
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Bermuda: Private Client
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This country-specific Q&A provides an overview of Private Client laws and regulations applicable in Bermuda.