Trusts/private client in British Virgin Islands

Harneys

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.

Practice head(s):

Henry Mander; Ayana Hull


Other key lawyers:

Matthew Howson


Testimonials

‘Harneys are my go-to lawyers in the BVI. Their strength and depth in that jurisdiction on all issues is unique.’

‘Henry Mander is pragmatic and excellent. Together with Matthew Howson in London they have been fantastic.’

Walkers BVI

Walkers BVI‘s team of specialist lawyers is sought out by a host of entrepreneurs, wealthy families, and institutional and individual trustees for its expertise in non-contentious issues and contentious matters before the BVI Courts. Company law and corporate litigation specialist Rosalind Nicholson leads the practice together with David Pytches, who splits its time between Cayman and BVI and leads on multi-billion-dollar trust restructuring matters. Pytches is also noted for his expertise in the fintech sector and has advised on various BVI trusts in the blockchain space. Oliver Clifton regularly appears in proceedings involving fraud and asset tracing issues as well as oligarch-related litigation.

Practice head(s):

David Pytches; Rosalind Nicholson


Other key lawyers:

Oliver Clifton


Key clients

Intertrust


Rawlinson & Hunter


Trident Trust


Nerine Trust Company (BVI) Limited


Formal Holdings Limited (FHL)


Work highlights


  • Acted for an individual in a long-running dispute regarding the ownership of shares in a significant PRC pharmaceutical company and other group companies held by a BVI company called Endushantum through a complex trust structure.
  • Acted for an individual and Formal Holdings Limited as defendants in a claim brought by the Trustees of the Erica Trust against multiple defendants relating to the transfer of a substantial portion of the trust’s assets to FiHAG, a Swiss Company.

Conyers

Conyers‘ ‘very capable, experienced and attentive team’ provides comprehensive advice to a host of high-net-worth and ultra-high-net-worth individuals and families on both contentious court applications and non-contentious advisory matters related to trust structures and restructurings. Head of the team Robert Lindley is a key player in high-value trust restructuring applications, estate planning work and estate administration issues, acting for high-net-worth individuals. Matthew Brown‘s broad practice encompasses all contentious aspects of commercial, trusts and insolvency law; he is active before the Commercial Court and the Court of Appeal.

Practice head(s):

Robert Lindley


Other key lawyers:

Matthew Brown


Testimonials

‘Great team, very sound advice.’

‘Smooth on-boarding, very capable, experienced and attentive team.’

‘Robert Lindley – fast comprehension, strong in BVI law, well-experienced and international network.’

‘A big player in the Caribbean market. Well-resourced and capable of fielding big teams for large cases.’

‘Matthew Brown – a clever guy and a pleasure to work with. Very strong on the law and great to have on your team.’

‘Rob Lindley – a smart operator.’

Work highlights


  • Advised an executor in contested BVI probate proceedings involving cross-border issues.
  • Assisted a high-net-worth family with the establishment of complex dynastic BVI trusts and the underlying corporate structure.
  • Advised trustees in relation to contested trust dispute proceedings in relation to a multi-jurisdictional dispute.

O'Neal Webster

O'Neal Webster routinely advises individuals, corporations and beneficiaries on the full spectrum of trust creation, administration and termination work, as well as wealth preservation and probate planning issues. From the London office, group head Christopher McKenzie routinely acts for leading trust companies, various governments and regulatory authorities, and international high-net-worth individuals, while also assisting the litigation department with contested and uncontested court applications. Vanessa King is noted for her expertise in the establishment and amendment of BVI trusts and various forms of corporate finance work.

Practice head(s):

Christopher McKenzie


Other key lawyers:

Vanessa King