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Harney Westwood & Riegels

CRAIGMUIR CHAMBERS, PO BOX 71, ROAD TOWN, TORTOLA, BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS
Tel:
Work +1 284 494 2233
Fax:
Fax +1 284 494 3547
Web:
www.harneys.com
Email:
Tortola, Montevideo, London, Limassol, Hong Kong, Grand Cayman

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

Corporate and commercial

Within Corporate and commercial , Harney Westwood & Riegels is a first tier firm,

Harney Westwood & Riegels's attorneys are 'well-versed in both law and business'. The practice assisted Reynolds Group Holdings, a manufacturer and supplier of consumer food and beverage packaging, in connection with the BVI elements of its $4.6bn acquisition of Pactiv Corporation. Other highlights included acting as BVI counsel to Goldman Sachs in relation to a $61m note issue. Managing partner Richard Peters, global head of corporate and commercial Leonard Birmingham, BVI investment funds head Ross Munro, and BVI banking and finance leader Colin Riegels are recommended. Riegels has 'excellent business acumen'.

Dispute resolution

Within Dispute resolution , Harney Westwood & Riegels is a first tier firm,

Harney Westwood & Riegels has a 'well rounded team of litigation experts'. The practice successfully led in two major hedge fund cases and has defended clawback claims brought by the liquidator of a Madoff feeder fund. Phillip Kite is global litigation and insolvency head, and Andrew Thorp 'deals with complex matters with clarity'.

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, Harney Westwood & Riegels is a second tier firm,

Harney Westwood & Riegels 'gives sound legal advice while recognising the commercial factors'. The team acts on the development of innovative trust structures and continues to expand outside of traditional markets. Recently it advised several Latin American clients on the establishment of settlor reserved powers trusts which contain protective committee powers, and advised a Brazilian client on an advanced VISTA Trust instrument which allows the settlor to enjoy a lifetime Vista relationship with trustees prior to reverting to a classic discretionary trust on death. Senior associate Henry Mander, formerly of Boodle Hatfield and Farrer & Co in London, joined in January 2011, and associate Lawrie Kearns, formerly of Rooks Rider Solicitors LLP in London, arrived in March 2011. Russell Willings is the key trusts contact.

What we say worldwide

Please choose another Harney Westwood & Riegels office to view full details of what we say in that region, or choose from this list to view a specific editorial reference in context.

Cyprus

Offices in Limassol

Foreign Firms in London

Hong Kong

Offices in Hong Kong

Cayman Islands

Offices in Grand Cayman

London

Offices in London

British Virgin Islands

Offices in Tortola

Search News and Articles

Legal Developments by:
Harney Westwood & Riegels

Legal Developments in British Virgin Islands

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

  • 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

  • Top marks for Harneys in Chambers 2011 global directory

    International law firm Harneys has once again earned stellar recognition from Chambers and Partners as one of the leading firms in the British Virgin Islands, with its practices in the Cayman Islands and Cyprus and recent expansion into Latin America also receiving positive reviews.
    - Harney Westwood & Riegels

  • BVI Companies and their Advantage in Corporate Structures

    Over 800,000 companies have been incorporated in the British Virgin Islands (“BVI”) since 1984, and whilst many of those companies are purely used as holding vehicles for assets, increasing cross border investments has played a significant role in the increased use of BVI companies globally. Some of the key advantages of BVI companies include:
    - O'Neal Webster - Barristers & Solicitors

  • Sales and Acquisitions of BVI Business Companies

    With the increasing popularity of British Virgin Islands (“BVI”) companies as a business entity worldwide, it is inevitable that these companies will become the subject matter of substantial sales and acquisitions. The briefing seeks to identify some of the structuring options for such a transaction, and the preparatory steps and other issues that may be of relevance.
    - Ogier

  • Managing BVI Companies

    British Virgin Island (“BVI”) companies are owned by their shareholders. The directors act as the shareholders’ agents in being responsible for the day to day running of the company and and having the powers necessary to undertake this role.
    - Ogier

  • Solvent Voluntary Liquidation of BVI Companies

    This briefing is intended to give a brief guide to the steps involved in the solvent liquidation of a business company incorporated in the British Virgin Islands (“BVI”). The liquidation process described (where a company has no liabilities or is able to pay its debts as they fall due) is carried out in accordance with Part XII of the BVI Business Companies Act, 2004 (the “Act”)
    - Ogier
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