Legal500

Appleby

JAYLA PLACE, WICKHAMS CAY 1, P O BOX 3190, ROAD TOWN, TORTOLA, VG 1110, BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS

Tel:: Work +1 284 494 4742
Fax:: Fax +1 284 494 7279

Web:: www.applebyglobal.com
Email:

Zurich, Tortola, St Peter Port, St Helier, Shanghai, Port Louis and 6 more

What we say about the firm's legal practice in British Virgin Islands

Corporate and commercial

Within Corporate and commercial , Appleby is a third tier firm,

Appleby is 'a firm that you can put your complete trust in to find a solution'. The practice advised DnB NOR Bank ASA (New York Branch) in relation to the preparation of documentation for the transfer of shares in a BVI entity within the Transocean oil exploration group. The firm also acted for Banco Santander in relation to a $575m syndicated loan to a BVI company, to assist the borrower with the construction, completion, ownership and operation of a deepwater oil drilling unit. Managing partner Michael Burns is 'an astute lawyer whose understanding of the cross-border issues and risks facing offshore entities today ensures that he always delivers a critical and valuable perspective'. Sally Cox is the local banking and asset finance team leader, and Valerie Georges-Thomas is the local head for funds and investment services.

Dispute resolution

Within Dispute resolution , Appleby is a second tier firm,

Appleby 'pays great attention to detail '. The team acted in the BVI on behalf of First Quantum in its dispute with the Government of the Democratic Republic of Congo concerning the expropriation of valuable mining permits and facilities. Local head Eliot Simpson has 'excellent response times', and senior associate Andrew Willins is 'calm and thorough in court, and commands the respect of leading UK QCs'. Associate Sarah Masson also draws praise.

Legal market overview

Within Legal market overview,

International offshore law practices Harney Westwood & Riegels and Ogier are the largest and second largest firms in the BVI respectively. Conyers Dill & Pearman, Maples and Calder, Walkers and Appleby are the other major international law firms present. Local BVI firms, including Forbes Hare and O'Neal Webster - Barristers & Solicitors, merit mention.

Trusts/private client

Within Trusts/private client, Appleby is a third tier firm,

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.

Further information on Appleby

Please choose from this list to view details of what we say about Appleby in other jurisdictions.

Bermuda

Offices in Hamilton

Foreign Firms in London

Offshore firms in London : Offshore

Guernsey

Offices in St Peter Port

Hong Kong

Offices in Hong Kong

Offshore law firms : Offshore law firms

Isle of Man

Offices in Douglas

Jersey

Offices in St Helier

Cayman Islands

Offices in Grand Cayman

British Virgin Islands

Offices in Tortola

Search News and Articles

Legal Developments in British Virgin Islands

Legal Developments and updates from the leading lawyers in each jurisdiction. To contribute, send an email request to

Through The Open Window - Leveraging Cross-Jurisdictional Opportunities For BVI Property Transfers

Arare congruence of exemptions under the US and BVI tax codes has prompted United States (“U.S.”) citizens holding British Virgin Island (“BVI”) property to undertake inter vivos transfers to their heirs during 2012.

- O'Neal Webster - Barristers & Solicitors
BVI Funds Update: Exemption from Requirement to appoint Custodian and Manager

On 15 March 2012 the British Virgin Islands Financial Services Commission (the “Commission”) published guidelines for practitioners requesting exemptions for funds from the requirement to appoint a manager, custodian or both (the “Guidelines”).

- Bedell Cristin
VISTA trusts

Different style - Vanessa King looks at VISTA trusts eight years on

- O'Neal Webster - Barristers & Solicitors
FINANCE 2012

British Virgin Islands

- O'Neal Webster - Barristers & Solicitors
Investment funds in the BVI

BVI Funds - Legal and structuring considerations

- Ogier
A Brief guide to... British Virgin Islands

So far as tourism is concerned, the British Virgin Islands (the BVI) is described as "Nature's Little Secrets"; in the financial services industry this could not be further from the truth.

- Bedell Cristin
Eastern Caribbean Court of Appral considers enforcement issues in Alfa v Cukurova

On 20 July 2011 the Eastern Caribbean Court of Appeal (“ECCA”) handed down the latest decision in the long running case of Alfa Telecom Turkey Limited v Cukurova Finance International Limited and Cukurova Holdings AS.

- Harney Westwood & Riegels
Changes to the EU Savings Tax Regime in the British Virgin Islands

The British Virgin Islands’ Mutual Legal Assistance (Tax Matters) Act, 2003 as amended in 2005 (the “Act”) has given effect in the BVI to EC Directive 2003/48 on the taxation of savings income in the form of interest payments (the “Directive”) for the last six tax years.

- Harney Westwood & Riegels
CONTINUATION OF A FOREIGN COMPANY INTO THE BVI

Companies often consider “what if” they could transfer to another jurisdiction based on what is currently happening in their current jurisdiction or simply to take advantage of developments within another jurisdiction.

- O'Neal Webster - Barristers & Solicitors
DIRECTORS DUTIES – A BVI PERSPECTIVE

Directors of British Virgin Islands (“BVI”) companies have certain fiduciary duties which arise both at common law and under statute. These fiduciary duties ultimately seek to protect companies and their shareholders whose destiny lie primarily in the hands of the directors in charge.the hands of the directors in charge.

- O'Neal Webster - Barristers & Solicitors