Guide To Trust Law & Trustees Services In The BVI

In addition to being the world's leading international finance centre in which to set up companies, the British Virgin Islands (BVI) is now regarded as one of the world's premier trust jurisdictions.

The general principles of the trust laws of the BVI are derived from those of English trust law. The principles of English common law and equity apply, as supplemented by BVI statute. The original Trustee Act was based on the English Trustee Act 1925 and Variation of Trusts Act 1958 but has now been updated by the Trustee (Amendment) Acts, 1993, 2003 and 2013. Other significant statutes relating to trusts and trustee services in the British Virgin Islands are the Virgin Islands Special Trusts Act, 2003 as amended in 2013 (VISTA), the Banks and Trust Companies Act, 1990 and the Financial Services (Exemptions) Regulations, 2007 (as also amended in 2013).