The Legal 500

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

Harney Westwood & Riegels advice is 'always sound and practical'. The practice advised Bank of Scotland/Lloyds TSB in relation to the restructuring of a $1.2bn term loan facility and related security package; and acted as BVI counsel to Delancey, the specialist real estate investment and advisory company, and its BVI entities, in its joint venture with Qatari Diar to acquire the London Olympic Village for £557m. Global banking and finance head Colin Riegels is a 'technically strong and able negotiator'. Ross Munro leads the BVI investment funds and regulatory team, and is 'brilliant on corporate restructuring matters'. Russell Willings is 'user friendly'; and Philip Graham, Tanya Cassie-Parker and Jacqueline Daley-Aspinall are also rated. Leonard Birmingham, the firm's global corporate and commercial head, relocated to the BVI office in August 2012 on a full-time basis. Global managing partner Richard Peters announced his retirement from the firm; Sheila Georgeis the new BVI office managing partner.

[back to top]

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

Harney Westwood & Riegels has particular expertise in hedge fund litigation, fraud and asset tracing and trust litigation. The practice successfully acted for the Westford Funds, a major BVI fund, in relation to compulsory liquidation proceedings brought by a redeeming investor. Phillip Kite is global head of litigation and insolvency. Andrew Thorp is an 'exceptionally good lawyer and very intelligent; he thinks outside of the box, which is a great asset'. Kissock Laing is also recommended. Jeremy Child joined from Enterprise Chambers, and James Noble relocated to the Hong Kong office.

[back to top]

Within Trusts/private client, Harney Westwood & Riegels is a third tier firm,

Harney Westwood & Riegels provides advice on the establishment and restructuring of BVI trusts, including Vista trusts, private trust companies, purpose and unit trusts, and employee benefit trusts. The team has recently seen an increase in contentious issues involving complex tax and trust structuring, cross-border probate, succession planning and international trust disputes. Lawrie Kearns is the key contact.

[back to top]