Harneys > TORTOLA, British Virgin Islands > Firm Profile

Harneys > The Legal 500 Rankings

British Virgin Islands > Banking, finance and capital markets Tier 1

Led by Philip Graham, Harneys‘ banking and finance team routinely handles offshore credit and security legal matters related to debt financing issues, and provides comprehensive advice on debt restructurings, property, development and acquisition financings, international debt issuances, asset-based lending matters, SPACs and other equity capital markets transactions. Managing partner of the BVI office Tanya Cassie-Parker is noted for her specialism in aircraft finance and ship finance mandates, while Michelle Frett-Mathavious‘ wide-ranging practice spans syndicated finance, structured debt and asset finance matters, bond and note issuances, property finance transactions in Asia and Europe, and Islamic finance work. Joshua Mangeot focuses on complex cross-border transactions and the implementation of the BVI economic substance requirements, while Rhonda Brown is a key name at associate level.

British Virgin Islands > Dispute resolution Tier 1

Harneys‘ litigation, insolvency, and restructuring practice often appears before the Commercial Court and Court of Appeal in high-value and highly complex proceedings. Praised for its ‘smart, commercial and strategic’ approach, the team's workload regularly spans liquidations, restructuring and insolvency proceedings, complex shareholder disputes and trust litigation, as well as crypto asset disputes, asset tracing issues and arbitration proceedings. With Andrew Thorp stepping down as head of the group, the practice is now co-led by ‘remarkable litigator’ Claire Goldstein, who has notable expertise in contentious trust and multi-jurisdictional fraud cases; and Christopher Pease, who is an expert in disputes concerning fraud and bribery elements. Other key individuals include global contentious co-chair Peter Ferrer and Philip Kite, who is an ‘extraordinarily well versed lawyer’. Jonathan Addo is noted for his injunctive relief work expertise, and Kimberly Crabbe-Adams excels in assisting ultimate beneficial owners in contentious company restorations, while recently promoted to counsel Marcia McFarlane regularly assists high-net-worth individuals, law firms and office holders.

British Virgin Islands > Investment funds Tier 1

Harneys' highly regarded investment funds expertise spans various investment vehicle structures, including companies, limited liability companies, limited partnerships, unit trusts and segregated portfolio companies. Issues relating to the cryptocurrency-focused manager space, blockchain and digital assets are further core workflows of the practice, led by virtual assets expert Philip Graham, a prolific adviser experienced in all types of fund vehicles, including private equity and hedge funds, limited partnerships, and start-ups operating in the fintech sector. Ayana Hull is noted for her deep knowledge of BVI legislation and routinely advises on investments and assets including large-scale development and infrastructure projects. Senior associate Kimberly Seagojo focuses on the formation, licensing, maintenance and restructuring of offshore funds as well as regulatory matters.

British Virgin Islands > Regulatory and compliance Tier 1

Harneys' BVI-based regulatory practice continues to secure a leading role in advising both regulated and non-regulated entities on anti-money laundering and terrorist financing compliance, financial services regulations, sanctions, data protection work and economic substance issues. The global regulatory and tax team is headed up by Philip Graham, whose focus is on trust company and insurance regulation, and BVI enforcement actions. Joshua Mangeot is noted for advising on BVI economic substance requirements, especially in the banking and technology sectors, while counsel Ayana Hull specialises in licensing, continuing obligations and regulatory and enforcement actions, and leads the BVI regulatory practice. Senior associate Kimberly Seagojo is also highly recommended.

British Virgin Islands > Trusts/private client Tier 1

A litany of trust companies and banks, as well as high-net-worth individuals and families turn to Harneys for expertise in the establishment and restructuring of BVI trusts including VISTA trusts, private trust companies, purpose trusts, unit trusts and employee benefit trusts. The dedicated contentious sub-group is regularly involved in complex international trust disputes and cross-border succession cases. Cayman-based global head of the private wealth practice Henry Mander is noted for his experience in non-contentious advisory matters spanning succession planning, structuring and asset protection work, while co-head Ayana Hull‘s broad practice encompasses private and commercial property acquisitions and disposals, company structurings and incorporations, work permits, employment issues and immigration requirements. In London, newly promoted counsel Matthew Howson is regarded as a prolific adviser and specialist in BVI trust law.

British Virgin Islands > Corporate and commercial Tier 2

Harneys‘ corporate team excels in a wide spectrum of public and private M&A, private equity transactions, IPOs and joint ventures, operating regularly on a cross-border basis and in collaboration with the firm’s capital markets and finance teams. George Weston leads the team and is noted for his expertise in SPAC and business combination transactions, as well as capital raisings and corporate reorganisations. Advising on BVI and Cayman law, Philip Graham is highly recommended for his deep knowledge of economic substance matters and fund vehicles; his recent highlights include advising funds venturing into the digital assets realm, and clients praise him as ‘the leading light for crypto and digital asset work’. Other notable figures in the team include Joshua Mangeot, who concentrates on transactional and regulatory issues, frequently advising financial institutions, private equity funds and high-net-worth individuals, while James Kitching and Melissa Thomas are key associates to note. Greg Boyd left the firm in April 2023 and joined Collas Crill.

Cyprus > Tax

At Harneys, the practice is well versed in handling the full range of contentious and non-contentious tax matters. The group is well known for its niche focus on assisting with various international tax exchange matters relevant to the automatic exchange of information regimes, and regularly acts for an established client base of private equity firms, high-net-worth individuals, start-ups, audit firms, multinational financial institutions and trust companies. The team is co-led by Pavlos Aristodemou and London-based Aki Corsoni-Husain.